Chess opening · ECO C42
Petrov's Defense
Black answers 2.Nf3 with 2...Nf6 in Petrov's Defense and does not defend e5 at all. Instead the knight attacks White's e4 pawn, so the position stays symmetrical for a while. The main lines lead to open files and early piece trades, and Black's central pawn on d5 often faces White's on d4 with both sides developing quickly.
- Rank by weighted share
- #32 of 159
Key moves
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6
- 2... Nf6The knight counterattacks e4 and leaves e5 unprotected. If White takes on e5, Black usually spends one move kicking the knight back before taking on e4 in return.
Why Black inserts ...d6 first
After 3.Nxe5 Black's natural wish is to take back on e4 right away. That runs into a trap. 3...Nxe4 4.Qe2 Nf6 5.Nc6+ uncovers a check from the queen down the open e-file while the knight attacks the queen on d8, and Black loses the queen.
So the main line goes 3...d6, driving the e5 knight back. Only after 4.Nf3 does Black take on e4, with the white knight no longer on e5, where it could jump away with a discovered check.
Taking the center with 3.d4
White can also strike with 3.d4, hitting e5 with a pawn. Black often takes on e4 anyway, and White develops the light-squared bishop to d3 to challenge the knight there.
Back to f3, then ...Nxe4
3. Nxe5 d6 4. Nf3 Nxe4 5. d4 d5 6. Bd3
Material is even. Black's knight sits on e4, supported by the d5 pawn, and White's bishop on d3 challenges it. White often follows with castling and c4 to undermine d5.
Top replies by rating
Nc3 tops the bands below 1800. From 1800 up Nxe5 moves ahead, and at 2000 and up d4 enters the top three.
Related openings
Try it on the board. The first coached game and three analyses are free.