Petrov's Defense

The idea

After 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6, Black counter-attacks rather than defending. The main line is 3.Nxe5 d6 4.Nf3 Nxe4: each side wins a pawn back and the position becomes symmetrical. White then plays d4, Bd3 and castles, hoping to use the extra move; Black develops with ...d5, ...Be7 and ...Nc6.

White can also play 3.d4, opening the center at once, or 3.Nc3, which leads to a Four Knights type of game. In every line Black's pawn structure stays sound, which is why top players use it when they need a safe result.

Solid, symmetrical and well tested. The Petrov has a reputation for draws at the highest level, but in club games there is plenty of play, and White has to know what to do. It is named after Alexander Petrov, a Russian master of the 1800s.

Players who want a reliable answer to 2.Nf3 with little risk, and who are happy to outplay the opponent slowly.

Do not copy White one move too long. After 3.Nxe5, play 3...d6 first: the instant 3...Nxe4 runs into 4.Qe2, and a careless knight move then allows Nc6+: the queen on e2 gives check while the knight attacks your queen.

The main line, move by move

1. 1.e4 · White claims the center with a pawn and opens lines for the queen and the bishop on f1. It is the most direct way to start a game.
2. 1...e5 · Black takes an equal share of the center and opens the same lines for the queen and the bishop on f8. Both sides now want to develop quickly.
3. 2.Nf3 · The knight comes out to its best square and attacks the pawn on e5 at once. Black has to do something about that threat.
4. 2...Nf6 · Instead of defending e5, Black counterattacks the pawn on e4 with a knight of its own. This is Petrov's Defense, a solid choice that keeps the position balanced.
5. 3.Nxe5 · White grabs the pawn on e5 first, so Black has to spend a move chasing the knight before taking on e4. Copying with 3...Nxe4 at once is a mistake, because 4.Qe2 then wins material on the e-file.
6. 3...d6 · Black pushes the knight away with a pawn before taking on e4. Once the knight retreats, the capture on e4 is safe and the trick with Qe2 is gone.
7. 4.Nf3 · The knight had to move, since the pawn on d6 attacks it, and f3 is its best square. From there it guards d4 and helps cover White's kingside.
8. 4...Nxe4 · Now Black takes the pawn and the material is level again. The knight on e4 is active but can become a target, so Black plans ...d5 to support it.
9. 5.d4 · White takes the center with a pawn and opens the way for the bishop on c1. This is the Classical Attack; Bd3 comes next to attack the knight on e4.

Next moves in book

• 3.Nc3 · Three Knights Game
• 3.Qe2
• 3.d4 · Modern Attack
• 3.Bc4 · Italian Variation
• 3.Nxe5 · Petrov's Defense

Watch out for

• Stafford Gambit
• The Petrov trap

Related openings

• Philidor Defense C41 · 38 named lines
• Ruy Lopez C60–C99 · 200 named lines
• Italian Game C50–C59 · 156 named lines
• Scotch Game C44–C45 · 48 named lines