Petrov's Defense

1. e4
"Best by test" according to Bobby Fisher.

1... e5
Black grabs an equal share of the center and scope to develop some pieces.

2. Nf3
The most natural move, developing the Knight with tempo

2... Nf6
Attacking the e4 pawn, aiming to equalize the position by challenging white's control of the center.

3. Nc3
Protecting the e4 pawn while developing the knight.

• 3. Nxe5: Capturing the hanging pawn, but leaving e4 hanging.
• 3. Bc4: Developing the bishop while preparing to castle and maybe launch an attack later.

3... Nc6
Developing a piece and defending the e5 pawn.

• 3... Bc5: Bringing out the bishop without protecting the pawn, aiming for an attacking game.
• 3... Bb4: Developing the bishop while preparing to castle and threatening to double White's pawns.

4. Bc4
Developing quickly and immediately threatening Ng5.

• 4. d4: White plays this pawn break in favor of an open and tactical game.
• 4. Bb5: Much like the Ruy Lopez, but both sides have developed their knights first.

4... Bc5
Developing the bishop and keeping the position symmetrical, while also preparing to castle.

• 4... Nxe4: Capturing the e4 pawn and temporarily giving away a knight. Once White captures the knight on e4, d5 is a fork and Black will win the material back.
• 4... Bb4: Developing the bishop while indirectly attacking the e4 pawn. Black can also castle next move as well.

5. d3
Strengthening the center and preparing to develop the dark-squared bishop.

• 5. O-O: Castling kingside and planning to continue with d3 to develop the dark-squared bishop.

5... d6
Strengthening the center and opening up the light-squared bishop to develop.

• 5... O-O: Castling kingside and preparing to continue with d6 and developing the light-squared bishop.
• 5... h6: Preparing to gain space on the kingside with g5 and preventing White’s pieces from going to the g5 square.

6. Bg5

6... h6

7. Bh4

7... g5

8. Bg3

8... Bg4