Petrov's Defense: you hit my pawn, I hit yours

Petrov's Defense is 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6. White's knight attacks e5, but Black doesn't defend it. Black brings out a knight and counterattacks White's pawn on e4 instead. The two sides trade blows, the position is symmetrical, and the opening is famous for being solid and hard to crack. It's a handy choice with Black in free online chess.

Moves and position

Black's second move is the key:

1. 1. e4 e5 the two pawns meet head to head in the center.
2. 2. Nf3 White's knight attacks the pawn on e5.
3. 2... Nf6 Black doesn't defend e5 and brings out a knight to attack e4.

Black's idea is: "If you take my pawn, I'll take yours." But watch the move order. White moves first, so if Black just copies White, Black is often one step behind.

What White wants

• Take e5 first: 3. Nxe5 is the most common move, but White has to be ready for Black's counterattack.
• Push d4 to open the center: 3. d4 attacks e5 with a pawn and makes the game more open.
• Use the extra tempo: in a symmetrical position, whoever finds the other side's weakness first comes out ahead.

What Black wants

• Don't rush to take e4: after White takes on e5, Black first chases the knight with 3... d6 and only then takes e4. The order matters.
• Trade calmly: the goal of Petrov's Defense is a steady, symmetrical position where White can't find anything to attack.

Main lines

Classical main line: 3. Nxe5 d6

White's knight takes e5. Black first plays 3... d6 to kick the knight, waits for it to go back to f3, then takes e4 with the knight. The black knight stands firmly on e4, and next both sides develop and castle. This is the main way to play Petrov's Defense.

Steinitz Variation: 3. d4

White opens the center with d4. Black isn't scared and takes e4 right away. Each side wins a pawn, and White's bishop comes out to d3, ready to castle.

A common trap: losing the queen to a discovered check

The most common mistake is for Black to copy White on move three and take e4 right away:

The knight is attacked, so the natural thought is to retreat it to f6. But look what happens:

This is a discovered attack: the moment the white knight steps away, the queen's check appears. Black has to deal with the check first, and however Black blocks it, White takes the black queen next move.

So what should Black do after 4. Qe2? The best is 4... Qe7, putting the queen on the e-file too. But after White takes the knight on e4, Black is still a pawn down. The real fix is on move three: play 3... d6 first to chase the knight, then take e4. Remember this: when your opponent takes your pawn, don't rush to copy. First look at where their pieces are standing.

Who it suits

• Black players who want a solid game: Petrov's Defense is known as a "draw machine," and White struggles to find a way through.
• Players who like symmetrical positions: the pieces and pawns are about even, so it comes down to who is more careful.
• Players who don't want to memorize a lot: just remember "d6 first, then take e4" and you won't go badly wrong.

Like the Philidor Defense, it avoids Nc6 after 2. Nf3. The Philidor defends e5 with d6 and is more passive; Petrov's Defense hits back at e4 with Nf6 and is more active.

Frequently asked questions

Try it yourself

Use the button below to start a game against the computer from the Petrov's Defense position. Remember: d6 first, then take e4. To see other openings, go back to the openings guide. To learn more about double attacks, read about the fork. When you're ready, go play chess online for free.

Play this opening against the computer

Read next

• Philidor DefenseBlack defends e5 with d6 and holds the center steady. The famous Légal Trap comes from here too.
• Four Knights GameBoth sides bring out all four knights first. It's symmetrical and solid, and the perfect way to build the habit of developing first.
• Scotch GameWhite pushes d4 on move three and opens up the center. The ideas are simple and the position is open, which makes it great for beginners.