Julian Hodgson – The Trompowsky King

Julian Hodgson is an English Grandmaster who was a dominant force in British chess in the 1990s. He is known for his incredible tactical eye and unique opening repertoire.

The Trompowsky (1.d4 Nf6 2.Bg5) was considered a sideline until Hodgson adopted it. He showed it leads to sharp, unbalanced positions immediately, avoiding main-line theory.

A variation of the Queen's Pawn Game (1.d4 d5 2.Bg5) is often called the Hodgson Attack (or the Levitsky Attack) because he scored so heavily with it.

He largely retired from professional competitive play in the early 2000s to focus on teaching and chess commentary, but his games remain a goldmine for attacking players.

He won the prestigious British Championship in 1991, 1992, 1999, and 2000, proving his dominance over a strong generation of English GMs.

Single-handedly brought 1.d4 Nf6 2.Bg5 back into fashion. If you play the Trompowsky today, you are walking in Hodgson's footsteps.

He is famous for winning games against Grandmasters in under 25 moves. His aggressive openings often caught opponents unprepared.

His book series (and articles) "Attack with Julian Hodgson" are cult classics, teaching amateurs how to spot tactical blows.

He represented England in multiple Chess Olympiads, winning an individual Bronze medal in 1992.

In the year 2000, he reached a peak rating of 2640, placing him firmly in the world elite.

His commentary during the Kasparov vs. Deep Blue matches introduced his energetic style to a global audience.

He proved that bringing the bishop out immediately against 1...d5 is a viable way to unbalance the game and avoid the Slav/QGD.

His rapid sight of the board made him a fearsome blitz player. He famously played incredibly fast even in classical time controls.

He regularly competed against and defeated his famous compatriots, Michael Adams and Nigel Short, in domestic events.

He rarely played "standard" openings like the Queen's Gambit, preferring setups where he could sacrifice pieces early.

After retiring, he taught chess at schools in London, inspiring the next generation of British talent.

A book actually titled "The Grandmaster of the Trompowsky" was written analyzing his specific contribution to this opening.

One of his strong international performances where he showcased his attacking flair on US soil.

Fans loved him because he didn't play for subtle positional edges; he played to checkmate the King.

Hodgson had a very low draw percentage. He played decisive chess—win or lose, it was going to be exciting.

He was a British Junior Champion, part of the "English Chess Explosion" alongside Nunn, Speelman, and Miles.

With Black, he often employed sharp lines in the French Defense, enjoying the counter-attacking chances.

He was a key player for the "Wood Green" chess club, helping them dominate the British league.

Known for his cheerful demeanor and genuine love for the game, he remains one of the most liked figures in English chess history.