ECO C42 · Petrov's Defense

Petrov's Defense

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6

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White to move. The arrow shows Stockfish’s best move.
Best move

3. Nxe5+0.44

White is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Petrov's Defense (C42), reached after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6, Stockfish 18 recommends 3. Nxe5 for White. White is slightly better (+0.44).

Top engine moves

  1. +0.443. Nxe5 d6 4. Nf3 Nxe4 5. d4 d5 6. Bd3 Be7 7. O-O O-O
  2. +0.393. d4 Nxe4 4. Nxe5 d5 5. Bd3 Nd7 6. Nxd7 Bxd7 7. O-O Qf6
  3. +0.213. Nc3 Nc6 4. d4 exd4 5. Nxd4 Bb4 6. Nxc6 bxc6 7. Bd3 O-O

Other move orders

  • 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nxe5
  • 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nxe5 d6
  • 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nxe5 d6 4. Nf3
  • 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nxe5 d6 4. Nf3 Nxe4

All Petrov's Defense variations (42)

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Petrov's Defense?
After 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 3. Nxe5 for White, continuing d6 4. Nf3 Nxe4 5. d4 d5 6. Bd3 Be7 7. O-O O-O. White is slightly better (+0.44). The next best moves are 3. d4 (+0.39) and 3. Nc3 (+0.21).
Is the Petrov's Defense a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.44: white is slightly better. Evaluations this early in the game are small, so practical results depend far more on knowing the plans and typical structures than on the engine's number.
What is the ECO code of the Petrov's Defense?
C42. ECO codes classify chess openings from A00 to E99; C is the volume for open games and the French Defense.

Opening names from the Lichess opening book (CC0). Pieces by Colin M.L. Burnett (GPLv2+).