ECO C43 · Petrov's Defense

Petrov's Defense: Modern Attack

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. d4

abcdefgh87654321
Black to move. The arrow shows Stockfish’s best move.
Best move

3… Nxe4+0.28

The position is roughly equal. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Petrov's Defense: Modern Attack (C43), reached after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. d4, Stockfish 18 recommends 3… Nxe4 for Black. The position is roughly equal (+0.28).

Top engine moves

  1. +0.283… Nxe4 4. Bd3 d5 5. Nxe5 Nd7 6. Nxd7 Bxd7 7. O-O Qf6 8. Be3
  2. +0.363… d5 4. exd5 exd4 5. Bb5+ c6 6. dxc6 bxc6 7. Be2 Bb4+ 8. c3
  3. +0.423… exd4 4. e5 Ne4 5. Qxd4 d5 6. exd6 Nxd6 7. Nc3 Nc6 8. Qa4

Other move orders

  • 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. d4 exd4

Variations

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Petrov's Defense: Modern Attack?
After 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. d4, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 3… Nxe4 for Black, continuing 4. Bd3 d5 5. Nxe5 Nd7 6. Nxd7 Bxd7 7. O-O Qf6 8. Be3. The position is roughly equal (+0.28). The next best moves are 3… d5 (+0.36) and 3… exd4 (+0.42).
Is the Petrov's Defense: Modern Attack a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.28: the position is roughly equal. 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: Modern Attack?
C43. 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+).