Petrov's Defence

Common card · No. 314215

Petrov's Defence is a chess opening characterised by the following moves: 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 Although this symmetrical counterattacking response to 2.Nf3 has a long history, it was first popularised by Alexander Petrov, a Russian chess player in the mid-19th century. In recognition of the early investigations by the Russian masters Petrov and Carl Jaenisch, this opening is also called the Russian Game, which is the predominant name in some countries. The Petrov has a drawish reputation, though there are attacking opportunities for both sides, and a few lines are quite sharp. The Black counterattack in the centre also avoids the Ruy Lopez, Italian Game, and Scotch Game. White's most common response are 3.Nxe5 and 3.d4 (the Steinitz Variation). The Petrov has been adopted by many of the world's leading players, including world champions Vasily Smyslov, Tigran Petrosian, Anatoly Karpov, and Vladimir Kramnik, along with grandmaster Fabiano Caruana and others.

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