Chess Opening Theory/1. e4/1...e5/2. Nf3/2...Nf6/3. Nxe5

Petrov Defence
a b c d e f g h
8 a8 b8 c8 d8 e8 f8 g8 h8 8
7 a7 b7 c7 d7 e7 f7 g7 h7 7
6 a6 b6 c6 d6 e6 f6 g6 h6 6
5 a5 b5 c5 d5 e5 f5 g5 h5 5
4 a4 b4 c4 d4 e4 f4 g4 h4 4
3 a3 b3 c3 d3 e3 f3 g3 h3 3
2 a2 b2 c2 d2 e2 f2 g2 h2 2
1 a1 b1 c1 d1 e1 f1 g1 h1 1
a b c d e f g h
Position in Forsyth-Edwards Notation (FEN)
Moves: 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nxe5

Petrov Defence edit

3. Nxe5 edit

Black has to drive the white knight away before attacking.

  • The natural move 3...Nxe4 is a bad move, containing a deadly trap and variations that put White into a superior position. Even if black avoids the trap with Qe7 after 3.Qe2, Black will transpose to Kholmov Gambit; Black will gain equal chances to White in this gambit.
  • 3...d6 is the main line.
  • 3...Nc6 the Stafford Gambit
  • 3...Nxe4 the Damiano Defense

Theory table edit

For explanation of theory tables, see theory table and for notation, see algebraic notation..

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nxe5

3 4
Classical Variation
(Main Line)
...
d6
Nf3
Nxe4
=
Damiano Variation ...
Nxe4
Qe2
Qe7
+/-
Stafford Gambit ...
Nc6
Nxc6
dxc6
+

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References edit