Petrov Defense: Classical Variation
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Nxe5 d6 · C42
Part of Petrov Defense
Starting positionWhite to move
0 / 18
Space versus an advanced knight
- 1.
- 2.
- 3.
- 4.
- 5.
- 6.
- 7.
- 8.
- 9.
The idea
The main line: White builds a broad centre with d4 and c4 and Black develops carefully, accepting a slightly cramped but very solid position.
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
What White wants
- Expand with c4 against d5, the pawn that supports the e4 knight
- Develop with Be2 or Bd3 and Re1 and press on the kingside
- Use the extra space to restrict Black's pieces
What Black wants
- Complete development with ...Be7, ...Nc6 and ...O-O
- Keep the e4 knight alive or trade it favourably
- Free the position with ...dxc4 or ...Bf5
Key idea
Understand this and the moves stop needing to be memorised.
Space versus an advanced knight
Material is level after the early pawn exchanges, but Black's knight on e4 occupies an advanced square. White's c4 attacks its supporting pawn on d5, not the knight itself. Black can answer with ...Nb4, gaining time against the bishop on d3 while the e4 knight stays put.
Common mistake
Ignoring the attack on Bd3 after ...Nb4. White must decide where the bishop belongs; carrying on with a slow plan can allow ...Nxd3 and concede the bishop pair without achieving anything against the central knight.
Representative position
The position this opening is aiming at. Copy the FEN, or open it in the analysis board and let the engine tell you what it is worth.
r1bq1rk1/ppp1bppp/8/3p4/1nPPn3/5N2/PP2BPPP/RNBQ1RK1 w - - 3 10
Analyze this position