Petrov Defense

Overview

The Petrov Defense (1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6), also known as the Russian Game, is a symmetrical response where Black counter-attacks the e4-pawn instead of defending e5. It leads to solid, often simplified positions that are notoriously hard for White to crack.

Position after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6

Key Ideas

• Black counter-attacks e4 instead of defending e5, leading to symmetric tension.
• After 3. Nxe5, Black must not play 3...Nxe4?? (which loses to 4. Qe2) but instead 3...d6 4. Nf3 Nxe4.
• The resulting positions are very solid for Black, often leading to equal endgames.
• White's Scotch Gambit-like 3. d4 is an aggressive alternative to 3. Nxe5.

Main Variations

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History

Named after Alexander Petrov, a 19th-century Russian master, this defense became a world championship staple through the games of Kramnik and Caruana, who used its solid nature to defuse aggressive opponents.