ECO C42 · Petrov's Defense

Petrov's Defense: Paulsen Attack

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nxe5 d6 4. Nc4

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

4… Nxe4+0.19

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

Analyze this position

In the Petrov's Defense: Paulsen Attack (C42), reached after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nxe5 d6 4. Nc4, Stockfish 18 recommends 4… Nxe4 for Black. The position is roughly equal (+0.19).

Top engine moves

  1. +0.194… Nxe4 5. Nc3 Nf6 6. d4 d5 7. Ne3 c6 8. Qf3 g6 9. Bd3
  2. +0.694… c6 5. d3 d5 6. Ncd2 Bd6 7. g3 Bg4 8. f3 Be6 9. d4
  3. +0.694… Qe7 5. Ne3 Nxe4 6. g3 Nf6 7. Bg2 Bg4 8. f3 Be6 9. O-O

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Petrov's Defense: Paulsen Attack?
After 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nxe5 d6 4. Nc4, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 4… Nxe4 for Black, continuing 5. Nc3 Nf6 6. d4 d5 7. Ne3 c6 8. Qf3 g6 9. Bd3. The position is roughly equal (+0.19). The next best moves are 4… c6 (+0.69) and 4… Qe7 (+0.69).
Is the Petrov's Defense: Paulsen Attack a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.19: 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: Paulsen Attack?
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+).