ECO code: D00
Hodgson Attack, 2...h6
The Hodgson Attack arises after the moves 1. d4 d5 2. Bg5 h6. Here, Black immediately questions White's bishop on g5 by playing ...h6, forcing White to decide whether to retreat, exchange, or maintain tension.
Characteristic: The move ...h6 is somewhat provocative and slightly weakening, as it creates a potential target on the kingside squares. It aims to challenge White's pin on the knight at f6 early, but it does so without developing pieces or contesting the center directly.
Attacking or Defensive: For Black, ...h6 is primarily a defensive and preventive move designed to disrupt White's bishop activity. White, on the other hand, can maintain an attacking stance by choosing to keep the pin or exchanging on f6 to double Black's pawns and weaken their kingside structure.
Center Control: This opening move by Black does not directly contest or attack the center. White's pawn on d4 remains unchallenged, and Black has not yet developed pieces to fight for central control. Therefore, the Hodgson Attack with 2...h6 is more about piece placement and tension than immediate central confrontation.
This opening is defined by the position shown on the board below. The moves displayed are a typical sequence that leads to it, but different sequences can reach the same position and still carry the same opening name.
Practice puzzles and train your tactics with real positions from games that used the Hodgson Attack, 2...h6, and sharpen your opening mastery.
Puzzle 1 of 11 - Move #6 white