Petroff Defence
Also known as Petrov Defence, Russian Game, Russian Defence
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6
A defence that refuses to defend. Instead of shoring up the attacked e5-pawn, Black mirrors White's knight and counterpunches at e4, steering the game into clear, symmetrical waters. Solid, logical and famously hard to crack, the Petroff is the choice of players who want to neutralise 1.e4 and play for the full point on their own terms.
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What it does
After 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3, rather than protecting e5, Black plays 2...Nf6, attacking e4 in return. The tension usually resolves into a near-symmetrical structure where both sides have an active knight on the fourth rank, open central files and easy piece development. The middlegame turns on precise piece play and small structural nuances rather than a fixed pawn skeleton.
When to use it
Choose the Petroff when you want a rock-solid, low-risk answer to 1.e4 that sidesteps the sprawling theory of the Ruy Lopez and Italian. It suits positional players who are happy to equalise cleanly and outplay opponents in calm, balanced middlegames, and it is an excellent practical weapon when a draw is a fine result - or when you face an aggressive attacker you would rather not let off the leash.
Why it works
By counterattacking instead of defending, Black avoids the cramped, passive positions that pure defence of e5 can bring, and reaches structures where the chances are genuinely balanced. The symmetry is only superficial - Black retains plenty of resources to play for a win - yet the lines are so sound that the Petroff has long been trusted at the very top, including in world-championship play, as one of the safest ways to meet 1.e4.
Key ideas
- Counterattack e4 rather than defend e5 - activity over passivity.
- Mind the move order: meet Nxe5 with ...d6 first, then recapture on e4.
- Develop smoothly: bishops to active squares, then castle short quickly.
- Aim for full equality, then probe the resulting balanced middlegame.
- Use the open central files for your rooks once the dust settles.
- Avoid early greed; sound, harmonious development is the whole point.
Watch out
A classic pitfall: after 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Nxe5, Black must not grab back immediately with 3...Nxe4. White replies 4.Qe2, and if 4...Nf6?? then 5.Nc6+ is a discovered check that wins the queen on d8. Always insert 3...d6 first to kick the knight, then recapture on e4 safely.