Chess Opening Theory/1. e4/1...e5/2. Nf3/2...Nf6/3. Nxe5/3...Nxe4/4. Qe2/4...Qe7

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) rnb1kb1r/ppppqppp/8/4N3/4n3/8/PPPPQPPP/RNB1KB1R w
Moves: 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nxe5 Nxe4 4. Qe2 Qe7

Petrov's Defence, Damiano Variation

4...Qe7

For now, black maintains symmetry (note that four full moves of symmetry is very unusual for an opening). White will be ahead a pawn if he simply accepts the knight, so 5. Qxe4 is almost universally played.

This position is most common among beginners, but the resulting pawn sacrifice is not without compensation and offers decent practical chances, especially in faster time controls.

Theory table

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

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nxe5 Nxe4 4. Qe2 Qe7

	5	6	7	8
Damiano Variation	Qxe4 d6	d4 dxe5	dxe5 Nc6	Bb5 Bd7	+/=