Petrov's Defence

:2. [[b:Chess Opening Theory/1. e4/1...e5/2. Nf3|Nf3]] [[b:Chess Opening Theory/1. e4/1...e5/2. Nf3/2...Nf6|Nf6]]

:2. [[b:Chess Opening Theory/1. e4/1...e5/2. Nf3|Nf3]] [[b:Chess Opening Theory/1. e4/1...e5/2. Nf3/2...Nf6|Nf6]]

Although this {{chessgloss|symmetrical}} response has a long history, it was first popularised by [[Alexander Petrov (chess player)|Alexander Petrov]], a [[Russia]]n [[chess]] player in the mid-19th century. In recognition of the early investigations by the Russian masters Petrov and [[Carl Jaenisch]], this opening is called the Russian Game in some countries.

Although this {{chessgloss|symmetrical}} response has a long history, it was first popularised by [[Alexander Petrov (chess player)|Alexander Petrov]], a Russian [[chess]] player in the mid-19th century. In recognition of the early investigations by the Russian masters Petrov and [[Carl Jaenisch]], this opening is called the Russian Game in some countries.

The Petrov has a drawish reputation; however, it offers attacking opportunities for both sides, and a few lines are quite {{chessgloss|sharp}}. Often a trade occurs and Black, after gaining a [[tempo (chess)|tempo]], has a well-placed [[knight (chess)|knight]]. [[Harry Nelson Pillsbury|Pillsbury]]'s game in 1895{{cite web |url=http://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1109091 |title=Lasker vs. Pillsbury, 1895 |website=[[Chessgames.com]] }} against [[Emanuel Lasker]] testifies to this. The Black counterattack in the {{chessgloss|centre}} also avoids the [[Ruy Lopez]], [[Giuoco Piano]] (and other lines of the [[Italian Game]]), and the [[Scotch Game]]. The Petrov has been adopted by many of the world's leading players, including world champions [[Vasily Smyslov]], [[Tigran Petrosian]], [[Anatoly Karpov]], and [[Vladimir Kramnik]], along with [[Grandmaster (chess)|grandmaster]] [[Fabiano Caruana]] and others.

The Petrov has a drawish reputation; however, it offers attacking opportunities for both sides, and a few lines are quite {{chessgloss|sharp}}. Often a trade occurs and Black, after gaining a [[tempo (chess)|tempo]], has a well-placed [[knight (chess)|knight]]. [[Harry Nelson Pillsbury|Pillsbury]]'s game in 1895{{cite web |url=http://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1109091 |title=Lasker vs. Pillsbury, 1895 |website=[[Chessgames.com]] }} against [[Emanuel Lasker]] testifies to this. The Black counterattack in the {{chessgloss|centre}} also avoids the [[Ruy Lopez]], [[Giuoco Piano]] (and other lines of the [[Italian Game]]), and the [[Scotch Game]]. The Petrov has been adopted by many of the world's leading players, including world champions [[Vasily Smyslov]], [[Tigran Petrosian]], [[Anatoly Karpov]], and [[Vladimir Kramnik]], along with [[Grandmaster (chess)|grandmaster]] [[Fabiano Caruana]] and others.