Petrov Defence: moves, ideas and plans

Black counter-attacks e4 on move two. Very solid, with one important trap to know.

C42Play it as BlackBeginner14 moves

Main line: 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nxe5 d6 4. Nf3 Nxe4 5. d4 d5 6. Bd3 Nc6 7. O-O Be7

Key ideas

• ...Nf6 mirrors White's attack on e5.
• After 3.Nxe5, play ...d6 first: 3...Nxe4? 4.Qe2 wins material.
• Symmetrical, hard-to-break structures.

The Petrov Defence move by move

Every move of the main line, with the reason it is played. The final position is recognised in the opening database as C42 Petrov's Defense: Classical Attack, Mason-Showalter Variation.

1. 1. e4Centre.
2. 1… e5Symmetrical.
3. 2. Nf3Attacks e5.
4. 2… Nf6The Petrov: Black counter-attacks e4 instead of defending e5.
5. 3. Nxe5White takes the pawn.
6. 3… d6Important: kick the knight first. Taking on e4 now would lose to Qe2.
7. 4. Nf3The knight retreats.
8. 4… Nxe4Now Black regains the pawn safely.
9. 5. d4White takes the centre.
10. 5… d5Black supports the e4 knight.
11. 6. Bd3Attacks the knight.
12. 6… Nc6Development, and pressure on d4.
13. 7. O-OWhite castles.
14. 7… Be7Black prepares to castle: a solid, equal position.

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