Trompowsky transpositions?

Black isn’t supposed to play f6?

What are you talking about?

Thank you; will look into the suggestions never heard of the zuckertort I’ve played a couple of games where black delays f6, or goes modern defence, Caro , Sicilian…. and then I’m not sure how to stick with my Trompowsky plans with the different move orders Thanks for the patience as well

Are we talking about different lines?

I’m confused on what the OP is saying.

The Trompowsky is the above position.

What f6 pawn move are you peeps talking about?

I wonder if he means the Levitsky Attack.

After 1.d4 d5 2.Bg5, the move 2...f6 is Black's theoretically best response. White has 3.Bf4, 3.Bd2, or 3.Bh4, but against the last one, Black has the very strong response 3...Nh6. I personally play 3.Bd2.

Apologies… meant when black delays playing nf6 :-)

Well, what I play as White currently over the board is as follows:

1...Nf6 - Trompowsky - 2.Bg5

1...d5 - Levitsky Attack - 2.Bg5

1...f5 - The 2.Bg5 Anti-Dutch

These are the only cases you should play 2.Bg5. The 5th rank needs to be blocked by a black pawn or there needs to be a knight to take. Otherwise, Qa5 tricks can be a problem.

Here is what I do against everything else. There are other options:

1...e6 - 2.e4 - French Defense (I suggest 3.Nc3 or 3.e5, being one that has played the French as Black for 29 years and still do via 1.d4 e6 2.e4 even though I switched to the Petroff as my primary against 1.e4)

Post number 10 in the following is an example. I did play a dubious move in Bb5, but he didn't know the right response and I basically dominated the rest of the game

https://www.chess.com/forum/view/chess-openings/whites-most-testing-lines-against-the-open-closed-tarrasch-french

1...g6 - 2.e4 - Modern Defense

1...d6 - 2.e4, if 2...Nf6, then 3.f3 leads to an old Indian (3...e5) or saemisch kings Indian (3...g6 4.c4)

1...c6 - Exchange Slav - 2.c4 d5 3.cxd5 cxd5. (Of course, Caro-Kann is also an option)

1...c5 - Old Benoni, 2.d5! And DO NOT play c4. 3.Nc3! The c4-square is for the other knight together with a4, so always play Be2 before Nf3 to avoid Bg4xf3.

Garbage like 1...e5, 1...b6, 1...a6, just play main lines. 2.dxe5 against 1...e5, 2.e4 against 1...a6, 1...b6, etc.

I see

I wouldn’t play Bg5, unless my opponent played Nf6. I think playing Bg5 with no Knight on f6 defeats the purpose of the Bishop being on g5.

I would do something different.

I have been playing the Queen Gambit + Catalan

I use the QG vs. 1…d5 players.

I use the Catalan vs. 1…Nf6 players.

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Seems like this is the issue you’re talking about.

You are using the Trompowsky vs. 1…Nf6.

You definitely need something vs. 1…d5.

What about the Torre Attack?

Yeah!

I can dig what crazed is saying.

Yeah, I like that idea too.

It helps vs. c5 lines as well.

I can dig it.

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Actually, I have played that move order before when going into a London.

I didn’t know the position was named the Zuckertort that is cool.

There are many purposes to Bg5, even without ...Nf6.

The biggest one is it prevents black from moving the e-pawn until he has moved his Queen or places his Knight on f6. If he places it on f6, take it is it forces Black to double his pawns. For Black to play ...Nf6 without the risk of doubling pawns would take a lot of moves and you will wind up with a lead in development.

Otherwise, it is bring the queen out early, which is also not ideal for Black. And 1.d4 d5 2.Bg5 f6 is considered Black's best, but it still weakens the Black King.

Not to mention, your recommendation is FAR WORSE than the Levitski Attack. The Torre works against 1...Nf6/2...e6 or 1...Nf6/2...g6.

The problem with the Torre against an early ...d5 is 1.d4 d5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Bg5 Ne4! The Knight on f3 actually impeded White's ability to attack the e4 Knight. This is why you see Torre players play the London or Colle against 1...d5 or 1...Nf6/2...d5.

Yeah, if White plays the Torre Attack, He will have to make sure he is prepared for 3…Ne4.

I think White position is still fine though.