What is the idea behind the Petrov Defence?

Counter in the centre instead of defending — the great grandmaster equaliser. In practice that means: Answer the attack on e5 with a counterattack on e4 rather than a defensive move; Reach a symmetrical structure where Black's position has no long-term weakness; Take the sting out of 1.e4 — no Ruy López, no Italian, no Scotch.

Is the Petrov Defence good for beginners?

Yes — it is rated Beginner here, which means the moves follow from a handful of ideas rather than from memorised theory.

What are the plans after the Petrov Defence?

White: Play c4 and press on d5 — the isolated pawn structures are the only real winning attempt. Black: Hold the e4-knight with …d5 and finish development; the structure does the rest.

All chess openings

Petrov Defence

C42 · Played as black · Beginner · Italian & Open Games

Counter in the centre instead of defending — the great grandmaster equaliser

Also known as Russian Defence, Petroff, Russian Game.

The main line

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Nxe5 d6 4.Nf3 Nxe4 5.d4 d5 6.Bd3 Nc6 7.O-O Be7 8.c4 Nb4 9.Be2 O-O

Strategic ideas

Answer the attack on e5 with a counterattack on e4 rather than a defensive move
Reach a symmetrical structure where Black's position has no long-term weakness
Take the sting out of 1.e4 — no Ruy López, no Italian, no Scotch
Avoid the …Nxe4 trap: …d6 first, then take, or the queen check wins the knight back with interest
Play for a comfortable, low-risk game where a draw is always in reach and wins come from White overpressing

Key themes

Solid — Black's structure is symmetrical and healthy — there is simply nothing to attack
Positional — The game is decided by small square-level advantages, not tactics or attacks
Endgame — Many Petrov games simplify early, and the resulting endings are comfortable for Black

Typical plans

Rather than defending the e5-pawn, Black attacks e4 in return. It's the most reliable way to take White's opening preparation off the board: a Petrov player never faces the Ruy López, the Italian or the Scotch. The reputation is drawish and mostly deserved, which is exactly why it's a weapon — grandmasters who need a half point reach for it, and it's a nightmare for anyone playing 1.e4 hoping for a fight. Black's one duty is to know why 3…Nxe4 loses material to Qe2 and to play …d6 first.

Move by move

e4 — White claims the centre.
e5 — Black meets it symmetrically.
Nf3 — White develops, attacking e5.
Nf6 — Black counterattacks e4 instead of defending. That single decision is the entire opening — and it takes the Ruy López, the Italian and the Scotch off the board.
Nxe5 — White takes the pawn, the critical test.
d6 — Black kicks the knight first, and the move order matters enormously. Taking straight away with 3…Nxe4? runs into 4.Qe2!, pinning the knight down the e-file — and if it moves, 5.Nc6+ is a discovered check that wins the queen. It's the most famous trap in the Petrov.
Nf3 — White retreats the knight to safety.
Nxe4 — Black now recaptures safely, restoring material with the knight on a strong central square.
d4 — White builds the centre and prepares to challenge the e4-knight.
d5 — Black props up the knight, reaching the symmetrical structure that defines the opening.
Bd3 — White develops with tempo, aiming at the e4-knight and h7.
Nc6 — Black develops and hits d4.
O-O — White castles, connecting the rooks.
Be7 — Black develops and prepares to castle.
c4 — White strikes at d5, the only genuine way to unbalance the position.
Nb4 — Black jumps to b4, offering the trade of White's best attacking piece.
Be2 — White declines and retreats, keeping the bishop pair.
O-O — Black castles. The structure is symmetrical, nothing is weak, and White's winning attempts start from a position of near-perfect equality — the Petrov doing exactly what it says on the tin.

Where the line leads

White's plans

Play c4 and press on d5 — the isolated pawn structures are the only real winning attempt
Keep pieces on the board; every trade brings the game closer to Black's desired dead-level ending
Use the small space edge with Re1 and Nc3, and avoid the mass simplification Black is angling for

Black's plans

Hold the e4-knight with …d5 and finish development; the structure does the rest
Trade a pair of pieces whenever it's free — simplification is the whole point
Watch for tempo tricks against the e4-knight; if it gets chased away, so does the equality

Petrov Defence FAQ

What are the moves of the Petrov Defence?: The Petrov Defence (C42) runs 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Nxe5 d6 4.Nf3 Nxe4 5.d4 d5 6.Bd3 Nc6 7.O-O Be7 8.c4 Nb4 9.Be2 O-O. It is played from Black's side of the board.
What is the idea behind the Petrov Defence?: Counter in the centre instead of defending — the great grandmaster equaliser. In practice that means: Answer the attack on e5 with a counterattack on e4 rather than a defensive move; Reach a symmetrical structure where Black's position has no long-term weakness; Take the sting out of 1.e4 — no Ruy López, no Italian, no Scotch.
Is the Petrov Defence good for beginners?: Yes — it is rated Beginner here, which means the moves follow from a handful of ideas rather than from memorised theory.
What are the plans after the Petrov Defence?: White: Play c4 and press on d5 — the isolated pawn structures are the only real winning attempt. Black: Hold the e4-knight with …d5 and finish development; the structure does the rest.