Petrov's Defense
Petrov's Defense — also called the Russian Game — answers 2.Nf3 with 2...Nf6, ignoring the attack on e5 and counterattacking e4 instead. It has a reputation for being drawish at the top level, and that reputation is earned: it is one of the soundest defences to 1.e4 in existence. But the symmetry is deceptive, and a single careless move order can hand White a serious initiative.
Main Line Walkthrough
- e4White opens with e4, the most popular first move in chess.
- e5Black answers e5, claiming an equal share of the centre.
- Nf3Nf3 develops and attacks the pawn on e5.
- Nf6Nf6! Instead of defending, Black counterattacks e4. This is the Petrov, and it immediately changes the character of the game.
- Nxe5White takes the pawn on e5. This is the critical test — accepting the invitation.
- d6d6! The key move, and the one beginners get wrong. Black kicks the knight first instead of recapturing immediately on e4.
- Nf3The knight retreats to f3. It has nowhere better — staying put loses it.
- Nxe4Now Black recaptures on e4, and material is level with a symmetrical structure.
- d4d4 builds a broad centre and opens the diagonal for the dark-squared bishop.
- d5Black plays d5, the crucial supporting move — it props up the knight on e4 and mirrors White's centre.
- Bd3Bd3 develops and challenges the well-placed black knight while eyeing h7.
- Be7Black develops Be7, preparing to castle. Stockfish reads the position at about +0.45 for White — a normal opening edge, and Black's structure is rock-solid.
Modern Attack (3.d4)
The Modern Attack. White sidesteps the symmetrical main lines with 3.d4, keeping more pieces and more tension on the board. This is the practical choice for players who want to beat the Petrov rather than reach a level endgame. Stockfish reads the position after 6...Nxd6 at about +0.5 for White — a slightly bigger edge than the main line, which is exactly why people play it.
- e4White plays e4.
- e5Black plays e5.
- Nf3Nf3 attacks e5.
- Nf6Nf6 — the Petrov counterattack.
- d4d4! Instead of capturing on e5, White opens the centre and avoids the symmetrical lines entirely.
- exd4Black captures on d4, accepting the challenge.
- e5e5 pushes past, kicking the knight and grabbing space in the centre.
- Ne4The knight jumps to e4, the only good square.
- Qxd4White recaptures the pawn with the queen, which stands actively on d4.
- d5d5 supports the knight on e4 and blocks the position slightly.
- exd6White captures en passant on d6, opening lines against the black king.
- Nxd6Black recaptures with the knight. Stockfish gives White about +0.5 — small but real, with more pieces and more play than the main line.
Nimzowitsch Attack (5.Nc3)
The Nimzowitsch Attack. Rather than building a centre with d4, White offers a knight trade on e4 and recaptures with the d-pawn. The doubled c-pawns are cosmetic — what matters is the open d-file, the free c1 bishop, and a lead in development. Quiet, but Stockfish still gives White about +0.3.
- e4White plays e4.
- e5Black plays e5.
- Nf3Nf3 attacks the e5 pawn.
- Nf6Nf6, the Petrov.
- Nxe5White takes on e5.
- d6d6 kicks the knight — the correct move order.
- Nf3The knight retreats to f3.
- Nxe4Black recaptures on e4.
- Nc3Nc3!? Offering a trade on e4 instead of playing d4 — a quieter, very solid approach.
- Nxc3Black trades knights on c3.
- dxc3dxc3! Recapturing with the d-pawn. The doubled pawns matter far less than the open d-file and the freed bishop on c1.
- Be7Black develops Be7 and prepares to castle. White is slightly better developed — the engine says around +0.3.
Damiano Variation (3...Nxe4)
The Damiano Variation, which is really a lesson in what not to do. Black recaptures on e4 immediately instead of playing 3...d6 first, and 4.Qe2 exploits the pin down the e-file. Black survives the line shown here but ends up worse without any compensation — Stockfish reads it at about +0.7 for White. Learn this so you never walk into it.
- e4White plays e4.
- e5Black plays e5.
- Nf3Nf3 attacks e5.
- Nf6Nf6, entering the Petrov.
- Nxe5White captures on e5.
- Nxe4Nxe4?! The natural-looking recapture — and the mistake. Black should play 3...d6 first.
- Qe2Qe2! The punishment. The queen attacks the knight and, more importantly, lines up against the black king on e8.
- Qe7Black must play Qe7 to unpin and defend the knight, blocking their own bishop in the process.
- Qxe4White takes on e4. Material is restored and Black's pieces are tangled.
- d6d6 attacks the knight on e5, trying to regain some coordination.
- d4d4 supports the knight and keeps the extra space.
- dxe5Black takes on e5 and the smoke clears — but White is comfortably better, around +0.7, with a lead in development and the safer king.
Key Ideas
- →The Petrov's core idea is symmetry as a weapon. By copying White's setup, Black neutralises the initiative that comes with the first move rather than trying to out-fight it.
- →The single most important move to remember is 3...d6. Recapturing on e4 immediately with 3...Nxe4? runs into 4.Qe2, when the pin down the e-file wins material.
- →The pawn on d5 is what makes the whole system work. Without it, the black knight on e4 has no support and White simply chases it away with tempo.
- →White's practical try is usually to avoid the symmetry altogether with 3.d4, transposing into more unbalanced positions where there is still something to play for.
- →The Petrov leads to open positions with few pawn breaks, which is why it draws so often. If you play it, be prepared to grind out equal endgames rather than win from the opening.
- →The Stafford Gambit branches off here with 3...Nc6, a completely different animal: objectively worse for Black, but far more dangerous in practice.
Press → or click any move to step through with commentary.