Hopton Attack

The Hopton Attack, 2. Bg5, brings the queen's bishop out before e3 to obstruct Black's development. The bishop eyes e7, and if Black plays 2...Nf6, the most common reply, White can answer 3. Bxf6 to damage the pawn structure. Black then normally recaptures 3...exf6, since 3...gxf6 loosens the e8–h5 diagonal further and 4. e4 fxe4?? 5. Qh5# is a frequent amateur mishap. The line takes its name from an 1860 game attributed to R. Hopton and was otherwise known as the queen bishop attack. Kasparov favored it. White scores well, and the engine gives a slight edge.

The engine's first choice is 2...h6, driving the bishop away. After 3. Bh4 g5, the main move is 4. e3, when 4...gxh4?? 5. Qh5# is mate, so Black continues 4...Nf6 5. Bg3 Bg7 with pieces developed and no doubled pawns, but with weakened kingside pawns. White can play h4 to provoke ...g5 and fight on the dark squares. The alternative 3. Bh4 g5 4. Bg3 hides a trap: 4...f4 5. e3 fxg3?? 6. Qh5#. The fianchetto 2...g6 aims for ...Bg7 before ...Nf6, so that a capture on f6 can be met with the bishop, and 3. h4 is answered by 3...h6, hitting the bishop.