Trompowsky Attack: Poisoned Pawn Variation
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Statistics from Lichess
44,404 games: White 52.2% / Draw 4.4% / Black 43.4%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 31,94932K | ||
| 5,3215,321 | ||
| 2,6562,656 | ||
| 1,8071,807 | ||
| 1,6821,682 | ||
| 574574 | ||
| 239239 | ||
| 4545 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Nov 3, 2026
Engine evaluation
+0.53 White is slightly better
Best play: 4... Qxb2 5. Bd2 Qb6 6. e4 d6 7. f4 Qd8 8. a4 a6 9. Bc4
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
Trompowsky Attack: Poisoned Pawn Variation (ECO A45, Flank Openings) is a variation of the Trompowsky Attack, reached after 1. d4 Nf6 2. Bg5 c5 3. d5 Qb6 4. Nc3 (4 moves).
In 44,404 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 52.2%, Black 43.4% and 4.4% were drawn. Black's most played move here is 4…Qxb2, in 72% of those games.
Written from the Lichess opening list and explorer. Know this line well? Write about it.
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How to play against the Trompowsky Attack: Poisoned Pawn Variation
4…g6 scores best for Black: 54.3%, with Black winning 51.7% and White 43.1% of 2,656 games. The most played answer, 4…Qxb2, scores lowest: 43.9% in 32K games. Stockfish's first choice is 4…Qxb2.
Main answers: those played in at least 5% of these games. Score: Black's wins plus half the draws, in rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500. How to play against other popular openings
Cite this page
Caissa Codex. “Trompowsky Attack: Poisoned Pawn Variation (A45)”. Lichess data as of 3 Nov 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/trompowsky-attack-poisoned-pawn-variation