Petrov's Defense
ECO C42 · 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6
Petrov's Defense, also called the Russian Game, is 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6. Instead of defending e5, Black counterattacks White's e4 pawn. It is famous for its solidity and is a favorite of elite players who need a reliable answer to 1.e4.
Plans for White
After 3.Nxe5 d6 4.Nf3 Nxe4 White plays d4, Bd3 and castles, using a small lead in development and the slightly freer position. The alternative 3.d4 opens the center at once. White often tries Nc3 or the early c4 to unbalance the symmetrical position.
Plans for Black
Black aims for equality first: develop with ...Be7 or ...Bd6, castle, and keep a strong knight on e4 supported by ...d5. Accurate move orders matter, because the symmetry means small inaccuracies can leave Black passive.
Typical pawn structures
Symmetrical structures are typical, often with d4 against d5 and an open e-file where the rooks quickly face each other. Some lines lead to queenless middlegames.
Who it suits
Solid players who want a sound, low-risk defense and are happy to win slowly in the endgame. Less suited to those who want sharp imbalanced fights.
Common traps
The classic beginner mistake is copying White: 3.Nxe5 Nxe4? 4.Qe2! and if 4...Nf6?? 5.Nc6+ wins Black's queen with a discovered check. The correct order is 3...d6 first, kicking the knight before taking on e4.
Variations
- Petrov's Defense: Stafford Gambit — 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nxe5 Nc6
- Petrov's Defense: Classical Attack — 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nxe5 d6 4. Nf3 Nxe4 5. d4
- Petrov's Defense: Modern Attack — 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. d4
- Petrov's Defense: Cochrane Gambit — 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nxe5 d6 4. Nxf7
- Petrov's Defense: Damiano Variation — 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nxe5 Nxe4
- Petrov's Defense: Italian Variation — 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Bc4
- Petrov's Defense: Three Knights Game — 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nc3
- Petrov's Defense: Karklins-Martinovsky Variation — 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nxe5 d6 4. Nd3
- Petrov's Defense: Moody Gambit — 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Qe2 Nc6 4. d4
- Petrov's Defense: Paulsen Attack — 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nxe5 d6 4. Nc4
- Petrov's Defense: Stafford Gambit Accepted — 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nxe5 Nc6 4. Nxc6 dxc6
- Petrov's Defense: Cozio Attack — 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nxe5 d6 4. Nf3 Nxe4 5. Qe2
- Petrov's Defense: French Attack — 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nxe5 d6 4. Nf3 Nxe4 5. d3
- Petrov's Defense: Kaufmann Attack — 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nxe5 d6 4. Nf3 Nxe4 5. c4
- Petrov's Defense: Millennium Attack — 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nxe5 d6 4. Nf3 Nxe4 5. Bd3
- Petrov's Defense: Nimzowitsch Attack — 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nxe5 d6 4. Nf3 Nxe4 5. Nc3