Chess Opening Theory/1. e4/1...e5/2. Nf3/2...Nf6

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Petrov's Defence
a b c d e f g h
8 a8 b8 c8 d8 e8 f8 g8 h8 8
7 a7 b7 c7 d7 e7 f7 g7 h7 7
6 a6 b6 c6 d6 e6 f6 g6 h6 6
5 a5 b5 c5 d5 e5 f5 g5 h5 5
4 a4 b4 c4 d4 e4 f4 g4 h4 4
3 a3 b3 c3 d3 e3 f3 g3 h3 3
2 a2 b2 c2 d2 e2 f2 g2 h2 2
1 a1 b1 c1 d1 e1 f1 g1 h1 1
a b c d e f g h

Contents

[edit] Petrov's Defence

[edit] 2...Nf6

Black chose to counter-attack. Many continuations are possible for White.

  • 3. Nxe5 is the main line (or Classical Variation). In this line, it's not advised for Black to take White's pawn before having chased the knight. There is a famous trap : 3...Nxe4 4. Qe2 Nd6?? (or 4...Nf6??) 5. Nc6+ and Black's queen is lost.
  • With 3. Nc3, Black can easily transpose into Four Knight's Game with 3...Nc6. This option is sound when White wants to avoid the sharp lines of the Petrov's Defence.
  • 3. d4 is the Steinitz Variation. Both players will usually plant their knights in advanced positions. Exchanges often occur in this line to avoid having a too powerful enemy knight in front of the king.
  • 3. Bc4 usually transposes into Two Knight's Defence (a variation of Italian Game).
  • 3. d3 is, according to statistics, a much more effective move than it looks, though it's rarely played. White builds a strong fortress and Black is now forced to abandon the Petrov's lines and to defend his pawn.

[edit] Theory table

For explanation of theory tables see theory table and for notation see algebraic notation..

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6

3 4 5
Classical Variation Nxe5
d6
Nf3
Nxe4
d4
d5
=
Steinitz Variation d4
Nxe4
Bd3
d5
Nxe5
Nd7
=
Two Knights Defence Bc4
Nc6
=
Four Knights Game Nc3
Nc6
=
d3
Nc6
=

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[edit] References

  • Batsford Chess Openings 2 (1989, 1994). Garry Kasparov, Raymond Keene. ISBN 0-8050-3409-9.