Chess openings / Petrov's Defense

Petrov's Defense: Classical Attack, Jaenisch Variation

Petrov's Defense: Classical Attack, Jaenisch Variation (C42) starts 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Nxe5 d6 4.Nf3 Nxe4 5.d4 d5 6.Bd3 Nc6 7.O-O Be7 8.c4. In 494 games between strong players, White wins 40%, 39% are drawn and Black wins 22%; the most played move is 8…Nb4 (86%).

abcdefgh87654321

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Nxe5 d6 4.Nf3 Nxe4 5.d4 d5 6.Bd3 Nc6 7.O-O Be7 8.c4

ECO
C42
Games between strong players
494
To move
Black
40%39%22%

White wins, draws and Black wins, from this position.

What strong players play next

The moves played most from this position in over-the-board broadcasts and the Lichess Elite Database, how often, and how the games ended.

MovePlayedResultsLeads to
8…Nb486% (427)38%40%22%–
8…Nf68% (37)54%27%19%–
8…Bg43% (17)65%29%–
8…O-O1% (7)14%71%15%–
8…Be61% (4)25%75%–

Where it comes from and where it goes

Branches from Petrov's Defense: Classical Attack, Mason-Showalter Variation 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Nxe5 d6 4.Nf3 Nxe4 5.d4 d5 6.Bd3 Nc6

More Petrov's Defense lines

Played the Petrov's Defense lately?

Enter your Chess.com or Lichess username: every move of your game labelled from Brilliant to Blunder, and where you left theory. Free, no account.