Petrov Defense


Overview

The Petrov Defense, also known as a Russian Game, is a chess opening characterized by the moves:

  1. e4 e5
  2. Nf3 Nf6



The idea: Instead of merely defending the e5 pawn, Black wants to counterattack White's e4 pawn by mirroring the position and moving the knight to f6 hoping for a balanced game.

By doing this, Black avoids a lot of theoretical lines like:

The Petrov Defense is a popular opening at the highest levels, with a reputation of being an equal and solid defense.



The Petrov Defense can be faced in three different ways based on White's third move:

  • Classical Variation (3. Nxe5)
  • Steinitz Attack (3.d4)
  • Three Knights Game (3. Nc3)


In the Classical Variation, the pawn structure is symmetrical, which causes many people to consider this opening rather dull. Most games at the highest level end in a draw. It also requires lots of theoretical knowledge.

This is the most popular variation for White. By playing this variation, he wants to provoke Black to take the e4-pawn, move the queen to e2, and pin Black's knight to the king.


The Steinitz (Modern) Attack is a good option to meet the Petrov Defense.

White undermines the center instead of taking the e5 pawn right away. This variation is easy to learn and can be used as a surprise weapon against the Petrov Defense player.


This variation is a good way to surprise your opponent since it is the least played variation against the Petrov Defense by White. The only viable response for Black in order to stay within Petrov's theory is to bring the bishop to b4. In the Three Knights Variation, White usually gains a bishop pair advantage and doubled pawns in exchange.


How to reach The Petrov Defense?

  1. First, White must move the king's pawn two squares (1. e4).
  2. Then, Black replies by moving his pawn two squares (1...e5).
  3. White moves the knight three squares (2. Nf3).
  4. Black counters by moving his knight three squares (2...Nf6).


Why Play The Petrov Defense?

The Petrov Defense is a popular opening at the highest levels, with a reputation of being an equal and solid defense.


Every move explained

Classical Variation

How To Reach It

The Classical Variation of the Petrov Defense appears on the board after the following moves:

  1. e4 e5
  2. Nf3 Nf6
  3. Nxe5

You can see the moves here:

Why play the Classical Variation?

In the Classical Variation, the pawn structure is symmetrical, which causes many people to consider this opening rather dull.

Most games at the highest level end in a draw. It also requires lots of theoretical knowledge.

This is the most popular variation for White. By playing this variation, he wants to provoke Black to take the e4-pawn, move the queen to e2, and pin Black's knight to the king.

It's a good choice for experienced players.

White's Moves

Chase the Knight

By taking the pawn, White is letting Black take his pawn with the knight.

If Black takes it, White simply moves the queen to e2, pinning the knight to the queen, therefore creating several threats for Black's plans.

Develop the second Knight

By playing this move, White challenges Black to decide whether to play safely or aggressively.

If Black retreats, White should move his d-pawn forward, gaining more space in the centre, then play h3, preventing the annoying pin from Black (...Bg4) and castle kingside to protect his king.

If Black takes the Knight, White should develop his dark-squared bishop to f4, place the queen to d2, and castle queenside to protect his king.

Pin the Knight to the King

By playing the move: 5. Qe2, White pins the knight to the king, thus forcing Black to protect it with the queen, which leads to a queens exchange.

Most games at the highest level end in a draw.

Black's moves

Play d6

The best response for Black is to move his pawn to d6 because taking the pawn could lead to several possible threats, which were mentioned in the "White's Moves" Section.

By playing this move, he chases White's knight, and then, after 5. d4, he moves the d-pawn to d5 and gets a symmetrical pawn structure as a result, which usually leads to an equal and drawish game.

Develop the Bishop and castle Kingside to protect the King

Black simply develops his bishop to the most natural square in order to free up the space for short castling, in turn protecting the king.

Every move explained

Steinitz Attack

How To Reach It

The Steinitz Attack of the Petrov Defense appears on the board after the following moves:

  1. e4 e5
  2. Nf3 Nf6
  3. d4

You can see the moves here:

Why play the Steinitz Attack?

The Steinitz (Modern) Attack is a good option to meet the Petrov Defense because it is not as popular as the Classical Variation.

White undermines the center instead of taking the e5 pawn right away. This variation is easy to learn and can be used as a surprise weapon against the Petrov Defense player. Black has several options to respond with. For example, he can take the pawn with the knight or with the pawn. Each side usually gains an outpost in the centre over the board.

White's Moves

Advance the pawn

By advancing the pawn, White chases the knight, then takes a pawn with the queen and gains more space in the centre.

Black's best reply is to move the d-pawn forward. If it happens, White should respond by taking the pawn en passant.

Castle Kingside to protect the King

White castles kingside to protect his king.

Black's moves

Develop the Knight

By moving the knight to d7, Black is provoking White to take it with a knight, thus getting rid of an outpost.

Take the pawn with the Knight

By taking the pawn with the Queen, White wants to capture the e4 square, support the knight by advancing the d-pawn, therefore creating an outpost.

It's a perfect position for his knight.

Every move explained

Three Knights Game

How To Reach It

The Three Knights Game of the Petrov Defense appears on the board after the following moves:

  1. e4 e5
  2. Nf3 Nf6
  3. Nc3

You can see the moves here:

Why play the Three Knights Game?

The Three Knights Game is a good way to surprise your opponent since it is the least played variation against the Petrov Defense by White. The only viable response for Black in order to stay within Petrov's theory is to bring the bishop to b4. By playing this variation, White usually gains a bishop pair advantage and doubled pawns in exchange.

White's Moves

Take Black's pawn and develop the Bishop

White should take Black's e5 pawn and develop the bishop to free up space for kingside castling.

Take the bishop with the d-pawn and castle Kingside

In the Three Knights Variation, Black almost always takes the knight on c3. When it happens, White should retake it with his d-pawn.

Then he castles Kingside to protect his king.

Black's moves

Attack the Knight with the Bishop

By bringing the bishop to b4, Black stays within the Petrov Defense theory. This is the only way to do this.

Castle Kingside and Develop your Rook

Black castles Kingside to protect the king.

Then, by taking the knight with the bishop, White gets doubled pawns. And then, together with the rook on e8 and knight on f6, Black takes White's pawn.

Transpose to the Four Knights Game

If Black is unsure of how to play against White's response, he can transpose to the Four Knights Game.

To check more information about this variation, please read the related article:




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