Chess Openings·Petrov Defence, Classical Variation

Open Game

Petrov Defence, Classical Variation

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Nxe5 d6 4.Nf3 Nxe4 5.d4 d5

Step through

10 / 10
  1. 1.
  3. 2.
  5. 3.
  7. 4.
  9. 5.

Tap a move to jump to that position.

A sturdy set-up that waits for the opponent to overreach. Both sides start with the same shape, so whoever breaks it first carries the risk. Of the four central squares, pawns stand on d4 · d5. 2 pieces have left the board. Neither side has castled yet.

The position

Length
10 moves
To move
White
Legal replies
33
Minor pieces out
White 1 · Black 1
Material
level
Castling rights left
KQkq
FEN
rnbqkb1r/ppp2ppp/8/3p4/3Pn3/5N2/PPP2PPP/RNBQKB1R w KQkq - 0 6

Move by move

Each move spelled out: which piece went from where to where.

  1. 1.e4White: Pawn e2→e4
  2. 1…e5Black: Pawn e7→e5
  3. 2.Nf3White: Knight g1→f3
  4. 2…Nf6Black: Knight g8→f6
  5. 3.Nxe5White: Knight f3→e5 (capture)
  6. 3…d6Black: Pawn d7→d6
  7. 4.Nf3White: Knight e5→f3
  8. 4…Nxe4Black: Knight f6→e4 (capture)
  9. 5.d4White: Pawn d2→d4
  10. 5…d5Black: Pawn d6→d5

Nearby lines

first 6 moves shared

Petrov Defence, Cochrane Gambit…Nxf7Petrov Defence, Stafford Gambit…Nc6Petrov Defence…e5 Nf3 Nf6Philidor Defence…d6Latvian Gambit…f5Elephant Gambit…d5

Common questions

Q. What are the moves of Petrov Defence, Classical Variation?

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Nxe5 d6 4.Nf3 Nxe4 5.d4 d5

Q. Which family does it belong to?

Open Game — Everything that starts 1.e4 e5.

Q. Who is to move next?

After 10 moves it is White to move.