2...Ne4 3.Bf4 c5 4.f3 Nf6 5.d5: the space grab is variation 1 of 6 in the Trompowsky Attack course, a intermediate opening course for White (ECO A45). It runs 23 moves and begins 1. d4 Nf6 2. Bg5 Ne4 3. Bf4 c5 4. f3 Nf6 …. Black jumps into e4 and hits d4 with the c-pawn. White kicks the knight with f3, then grabs space with d5 and e4. Against the bishop on g7 White trades it with the queen on d2 and the bishop on h6. In the lesson every move is explained on a board and then drilled; it is free.
Move by move
1. d4 – White takes the centre and opens the c1 bishop.
1... Nf6 – Black develops and stops e4 for now.
2. Bg5 – The Trompowsky. The bishop comes out at once and eyes the f6 knight.
2... Ne4 – Black attacks the bishop and jumps into the centre.
3. Bf4 – The bishop drops back. It keeps an eye on b8 and the centre.
3... c5 – Black hits d4 at once. The queen may come out to a5 or b6.
4. f3 – White kicks the knight away from the centre and prepares e4.
4... Nf6 – The most popular retreat. The knight goes back to f6.
5. d5 – White grabs space. The pawn on d5 cramps Black's pieces.
5... d6 – Black opens the c8 bishop and prepares to put the other bishop on g7.
6. e4 – White builds a big centre with pawns on d5, e4 and f3.
6... g6 – Black gets ready to put the bishop on g7.
7. Nc3 – The knight develops and protects e4.
7... Bg7 – The bishop aims down the long diagonal.
8. Qd2 – White lines up the queen and the bishop. The idea is to trade bishops on h6.
8... O-O – Black castles.
The lesson goes on for 7 more moves, each with its explanation.
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