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Chess Opening Theory/1. e4/1...e5/2. Nf3/2...Nf6/3. Nxe5/3...Nxe4/4. Qe2/4...Nf6

< Chess Opening Theory‎ | 1. e4‎ | 1...e5‎ | 2. Nf3‎ | 2...Nf6‎ | 3. Nxe5‎ | 3...Nxe4‎ | 4. Qe2

4...Nf6?? edit

Petrov's Defence
a b c d e f g h
8                 8
7                 7
6                 6
5                 5
4                 4
3                 3
2                 2
1                 1
a b c d e f g h
Position in Forsyth-Edwards Notation (FEN)

rnbqkb1r/pppp1ppp/5n2/4N3/8/8/PPPPQPPP/RNB1KB1R w

Moves: 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nxe5 Nxe4 4. Qe2

This appears to protect the knight, but in reality it loses the queen. Far better is 4...Qe7, 4...d5, or 4...d6, which only lose a pawn. After 5.Nc6+, he loses his queen with a hopeless position. This is known as the Copycat trap and has ensnared countless amateurs.

Petrov's Defence
a b c d e f g h
8                 8
7                 7
6                 6
5                 5
4                 4
3                 3
2                 2
1                 1
a b c d e f g h
Position in Forsyth-Edwards Notation (FEN)

rnbqkb1r/pppp1ppp/2N2n2/8/8/8/PPPPQPPP/RNB1KB1R w

Moves: 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nxe5 Nxe4 4. Qe2
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