Petroff's Defense

A symmetric, solid reply that mirrors White's knight move.

Petroff's Defense (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6), also spelled Petrov, counterattacks the e4 pawn instead of defending e5, leading to symmetrical, well-drawing positions favoured by players who want a safe reply to 1.e4.

Related terms
Italian Game Ruy Lopez
See the opening
Petrov's Defense ECO C42 →

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