Dutch Defense, Hopton Attack

The Hopton Attack begins when White’s c1-bishop goes to g5 after the d4 and f5 pawn advances. In algebraic notation, B means bishop, so 2.Bg5 names the piece and its destination on White’s second move. The bishop does not yet pin anything because Black’s knight remains on g8, but it gives Nf6 a concrete consequence: after Bxf6, Black may recapture with the e7-pawn and leave two black pawns on the f-file, the vertical line of squares marked with that letter.

Black may answer with ...Nf6, ...h6, ...g6, or ...d5. The move ...h6 asks the bishop where it will retreat. If Black later continues with ...g5, Black gains space but weakens more squares around the king. White should not assume every black pawn advance is bad. White must calculate whether the bishop has a safe retreat and whether the center can open before an attack becomes meaningful.

Exchange or preserve the bishop

Bxf6 may damage Black's pawn structure, but it gives Black the bishop pair, meaning one bishop for each color complex. Preserving the bishop avoids that concession but may lose time if the bishop must retreat repeatedly. The decision depends on whether the doubled pawns will be a real target or whether Black gains enough activity in return.

Unlike the Staunton Gambit, the Hopton does not sacrifice a pawn by definition. Its pressure comes from rapid bishop development and the questions it asks about Black's kingside structure.