Openings 1.e4 e5: open games
Petrov’s Defense (Russian Game): Lines, Traps and Stats by Rating
2...Nf6 does not defend e5. Instead Black attacks e4 and keeps the position symmetrical. It is one of the most solid answers to 1.e4, but it has one famous trap that catches club players every day.
C42Petrov's Defense
Games from this position (1600–1999): 81k
- 1.
- 2.
| Move | Played | Games | White · Draw · Black |
|---|---|---|---|
| 35% | 28k | ||
| 30% | 24k | ||
| 17% | 14k | ||
| 9% | 7,101 | ||
| 7% | 5,521 | ||
| 0.9% | 738 | ||
| 0.5% | 408 | ||
| 0.3% | 227 |
Plans for both sides
White
- 3.Nxe5 is the main move. After 3...d6 retreat with 4.Nf3, and Black takes back the pawn with 4...Nxe4.
- 3.Nc3 (Three Knights) and 3.d4 avoid the symmetrical main lines.
- In the main line, d4, Bd3 and c4 put pressure on Black’s knight on e4.
Black
- After 3.Nxe5 play 3...d6 first, then ...Nxe4. Never take on e4 at once.
- Keep the knight on e4 supported with ...d5 and ...Bd6.
- Black aims for a safe, equal position; it is a good choice if you want to avoid sharp theory.
Advertisement
Petrov’s Defense at each rating
How often the position after 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6 comes up in rated Lichess games, how it scores and what players answer next.
| Rating | Games (Share of games) | White · Draw · Black | Top next move |
|---|---|---|---|
| <1200 | 81k2.7% | 3.Nc335% | |
| 1200–1599 | 107k1.8% | 3.Nc336% | |
| 1600–1999 | 81k1.3% | 3.Nc335% | |
| 2000+ | 19k0.9% | 3.Nxe542% | |
| All | 287k1.7% | 3.Nc335% |
What usually comes next
The most played moves from here, all ratings together. Thicker line = played more often.
Main variations
Symmetrical and solid. White tries c4 or Re1 to pressure the e4 knight.
3,104 games from this position (all ratings, any move order). White won 48%, 12% were drawn, Black won 40%.
Show on the board: 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Nxe5 d6 4.Nf3 Nxe4 5.d4 d5 6.Bd3White avoids the main line. Black can play 3...Nc6 (Four Knights) or 3...Bb4.
141k games from this position (all ratings, any move order). White won 51%, 4% were drawn, Black won 45%.
Show on the board: 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Nc3Black gives a pawn for quick development and traps. White is fine with calm moves like d3 and Be2.
21k games from this position (all ratings, any move order). White won 46%, 3% were drawn, Black won 51%.
Show on the board: 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Nxe5 Nc6 4.Nxc6 dxc6White opens the center at once. Black takes on e4 and plays ...d5.
7,595 games from this position (all ratings, any move order). White won 49%, 5% were drawn, Black won 46%.
Show on the board: 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.d4 Nxe4
Common traps
3...Nxe4? 4.Qe2!
Copying White with 3...Nxe4? runs into 4.Qe2. If the knight retreats with 4...Nf6??, 5.Nc6+ is a discovered check that wins the queen. Even 4...Qe7 5.Qxe4 d6 6.d4 leaves Black a pawn down.
In our data, the last move of this line was played in 502 games.
Show on the board: 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Nxe5 Nxe4 4.Qe2 Nf6 5.Nc6+Advertisement
At club level
The single most important thing to know: 3.Nxe5 Nxe4? 4.Qe2! and Black is already in trouble. Under 1200, 3...Nxe4? is actually the most common reply. The other line to know is the Stafford Gambit (3...Nc6), which is popular online because of its traps.
Practice it
The trainer answers with the replies people at your rating choose, in the same proportions, and brings back your mistakes on a schedule.
Related openings
- King’s Pawn Game: 1.e4 e5
1.e4 e5
- King’s Knight Opening: 2.Nf3
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3
- Italian Game
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bc4
- Bishop’s Opening
1.e4 e5 2.Bc4
- Philidor Defense
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 d6
- Scotch Game
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4