Learn
The big idea
What the Petroff Defence is really about.
Instead of defending the e5-pawn, Black immediately counterattacks White's e4-pawn with 2...Nf6 — meeting a threat with a threat. The result is famously solid and symmetrical, a favourite of players who want a reliable, low-risk answer to 1.e4. It trades early fireworks for clarity and balance.
- White's plan: Grab the e5-pawn, then retreat the knight in good order; build a small central edge with d4 and natural development, and try to make Black's symmetry slightly passive.
- Black's plan: Recover the pawn by counterattacking e4, develop quickly and harmoniously, and reach a sound, symmetrical middlegame where there are no weaknesses to target.
After 3.Nxe5, why does Black play 3...d6 first instead of grabbing 3...Nxe4 at once?
Answer the question to keep going!