ECO C43 · Petrov's Defense

Petrov's Defense: Modern Attack, Symmetrical Variation

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. d4 d5

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

4. exd5+0.42

White is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Petrov's Defense: Modern Attack, Symmetrical Variation (C43), reached after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. d4 d5, Stockfish 18 recommends 4. exd5 for White. White is slightly better (+0.42).

Top engine moves

  1. +0.424. exd5 exd4 5. Bb5+ c6 6. dxc6 bxc6 7. Be2 Bb4+ 8. c3 dxc3
  2. +0.344. Nxe5 Nxe4 5. Nd2 Bd6 6. Bd3 Bxe5 7. dxe5 Nc5 8. Nb3 Nxd3+
  3. +0.214. dxe5 Nxe4 5. Nbd2 Nxd2 6. Bxd2 Be7 7. Bd3 c5 8. O-O c4

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Petrov's Defense: Modern Attack, Symmetrical Variation?
After 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. d4 d5, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 4. exd5 for White, continuing exd4 5. Bb5+ c6 6. dxc6 bxc6 7. Be2 Bb4+ 8. c3 dxc3. White is slightly better (+0.42). The next best moves are 4. Nxe5 (+0.34) and 4. dxe5 (+0.21).
Is the Petrov's Defense: Modern Attack, Symmetrical Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.42: 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: Modern Attack, Symmetrical Variation?
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+).