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ECO C42-C43BlackA line in the Petrov Defense

Learn the Steinitz Attack: 3.d4 (Symmetrical) line in the Petrov Defense

Against the 3.d4 line, Black grabs e4 and builds a French-like center with ...d5, trades the knights to ease the position, and develops harmoniously. The resulting structure is symmetrical and very solid for Black.

The moves you’ll play

  1. 1.e4e5
  2. 2.Nf3Nf6
  3. 3.d4Nxe4
  4. 4.Bd3d5
  5. 5.Nxe5Nd7
  6. 6.Nxd7Bxd7
  7. 7.O-OBd6
  8. 8.c4c6

The line continues — master it move by move in the app.

Your coach, move by move

  1. 1... e5We claim central space and enter the Open Games.
  2. 2... Nf6We counterattack e4 in true Petrov style rather than defending e5.
  3. 3... Nxe4Since White ignored e5 with 3.d4, we simply capture the e4-pawn and stay a pawn up for the moment.
  4. +5 more coached moves waiting in the app

Key ideas behind this line

  • Black counterattacks symmetrically: instead of defending e5 with 2...Nc6, hit e4 with 2...Nf6 and aim for the active knight on e4 supported by ...d5.
  • Know the move order trap: do not grab e4 too early with 3...Nxe4?, when 4.Qe2! exploits the pin and discovered check; insert 3...d6 first, retreat the white knight, then take.
  • Black's plan: quick development with ...Be7, ...O-O, ...Nc6, plus active bishop moves like ...Bf5 or ...Bg4, and the ...Nb4 jump to harass White's Bd3.

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More lines in this opening

Classical Variation: Main Line (5...d5 6.Bd3 Nc6)

The main tabiya of the Petrov: Black recaptures on e4, builds a Steinitz-style center with ...d5, and meets c4 with ...Nb4 to challenge the strong d3-bishop. Black aims for solid, symmetrical-looking equality with active piece play.

Classical Variation: 5...d5 6.Bd3 Be7

A flexible move-order where Black develops the bishop before committing the queenside knight, again steering toward the ...Nb4 plan against the c4-push. Black castles quickly and reaches a sound symmetrical structure.

Classical Variation: 6.Bd3 Bd6 (Active Setup)

Black places the bishop actively on d6 eyeing the kingside, props up the d5-pawn with ...c6, and trades on c3 to clarify the center. A resilient, slightly more dynamic treatment of the Classical.

Modern Variation: 5.Nc3 (Cordel/Nimzowitsch)

Against the simplifying 5.Nc3, Black trades knights and develops smoothly toward a queenside-castling middlegame where the doubled c-pawns give White little. Black aims for a clean, equal symmetrical-ish structure.

Classical Variation: 6.Bd3 Be7 7.O-O Nc6 8.Re1

When White plays Re1 to pressure the e-file and the e4-knight, Black calmly pins the f3-knight with ...Bg4, defending e4 indirectly and preparing to complete development. A solid, well-tested equalizing path.

Cochrane Gambit: 4.Nxf7 (Accepted)

Against the daring Cochrane Gambit, Black accepts the knight sacrifice and methodically returns material if needed while consolidating the king. With accurate play Black emerges material up and well-coordinated.

Three Knights / 3.Nc3 (Transposing to Four Knights)

If White declines the main Petrov with 3.Nc3, Black transposes to the Four Knights with the symmetrical ...Bb4 line, trading on c3 to give White doubled pawns and aiming for the ...Nd8-e6 regrouping. A reliable, well-known equalizer.

Classical: Kaufmann Attack 8.c4 Nb4 9.Be2 Be6

A deeper branch of the main line: after 8...Nb4 9.Be2, Black completes development with ...O-O and prepares ...Be6 and ...c6 to hold the center. Black equalizes by neutralizing White's bishop pair pressure.

Classical: 6.Bd3 Nc6 7.O-O Be7 8.Re1

With ...Nc6 played before ...Be7, Black meets White's Re1 by pinning the f3-knight with ...Bg4, indirectly defending e4 and preparing to castle. A precise, sound treatment of the e-file pressure.

Symmetrical / Marshall 5.Qe2 (Trap-Avoidance Line)

If White tries the tricky 5.Qe2 hoping for the discovered-check trap, Black answers ...Qe7 to neutralize the pin; after the queen trade Black has an easy, equal endgame. Knowing this avoids the famous ...Bf5?? blunder.

Classical: 6.Bd3 Bd6 7.O-O O-O 8.c4 c6 9.cxd5

In the ...Bd6 main line, when White releases the central tension with cxd5, Black recaptures with the c-pawn to keep a strong d5-pawn and open the c-file for rook activity. A balanced, active equalizing structure.

Stafford-Avoidance: 4.Nf3 vs 3.Nxe5 Move Order

If White inserts the quiet 5.d3 to nudge the knight before d4, Black retreats ...Nf6, then meets d4 with ...d5 and develops normally into a Classical-type structure. A clean, sound handling of White's modest move order.

Urusov-Style 3.d4 exd4 (Independent Try)

Against 3.d4 exd4 4.e5, Black retreats the knight to e4 then uses ...d5 and ...Nxd6 to untangle, emerging with active pieces and a sound structure. Black neutralizes White's space grab and reaches full equality.

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