Chessy
Petrov's Defense: playing Black after 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6
Petrov's Defense begins with a very direct challenge: after 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6, you meet White's knight with your own. In the first critical position, it is White to move, and the engine says the position is already a little better for White. That does not mean you are lost; it means you need to know the most reliable response and the common mistakes to punish. Use the drill below to practise the tabiya where this defence really starts to take shape.
Play the Petrov's Defense against the engine
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Create a free account →What the position asks you to do
This opening is about answering White's natural king-side development with active piece play of your own. The move order 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6 keeps the game open and straightforward, but it also leaves you ready to respond to White's choices in a sharp, practical way. The main point is not to memorise long lines. It is to recognise the key position quickly and choose the most accurate continuation when White takes the centre or develops normally.
The engine's main reply to learn
Stockfish rates this +0.57, a small edge for White. That means you are slightly worse here. The engine's best move is Nxe5, and the continuation shown is Nxe5 d6 Nf3 Nxe4. For Black, this is the move to know first: it is the line the drill wants you to find, and it reflects the most principled way to meet White's first decision in this position.
What the numbers say about this position
This exact position has been reached in 56,751,860 games in the Lichess database, so it is a heavily tested crossroads. White wins 50.9%, draws 3.8%, and Black wins 45.3%. Those results fit the engine's verdict: White scores a little better overall, so you should expect a real fight rather than a free equaliser. The opening is fully playable, but accuracy matters early.
Moves you will face most often
The most-played continuations are Nc3, Nxe5, Bc4, d3, d4, and c3. That makes this a very practical opening to train: you are not learning a rare sideline, you are learning the responses that come up again and again. Among those choices, the drill is especially useful because it helps you react to the lines that are seen most often over the board and online.
Common mistakes to punish
The database marks Nc3 as an inaccuracy, Bc4 as an inaccuracy, and d3 as an inaccuracy. In each case, the better move was Nxe5. That gives you a clear training target: if White does not answer accurately, you want to know why Nxe5 is stronger and be ready to meet those quieter developing moves with confidence. In this opening, small slips can already leave White with a noticeable pull.
Results across 56,751,860 Lichess games
| Most-played continuation | Games | White wins |
|---|---|---|
| Nc3 | 18,716,924 | 51.2% |
| Nxe5 | 18,298,657 | 50.4% |
| Bc4 | 10,584,812 | 52.0% |
| d3 | 4,133,372 | 48.7% |
| d4 | 3,118,927 | 52.6% |
| c3 | 563,529 | 49.4% |
Frequently asked questions
Is Petrov's Defense good for Black?
Yes, it is a playable opening, but the first critical position already gives White a small edge. The engine says you are slightly worse here, so you need accurate play rather than casual moves. The good news is that the position is very well studied and practical.
What is the best move for Black in this position?
The engine's best move here is Nxe5. That is the key move to learn in the drill, and the continuation given is Nxe5 d6 Nf3 Nxe4. If you remember one idea from this page, make it that response.
What do most White players choose after 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6?
The most-played continuations are Nc3, Nxe5, Bc4, d3, d4, and c3. The first three are especially important because they appear very often in the database. Training against them will cover a lot of your real games.
Which White moves are considered mistakes here?
Nc3, Bc4, and d3 are listed as inaccuracies in this position. In each case, the better move was Nxe5. That makes the opening very concrete: you can punish several natural-looking developing moves if you know the right response.
How many games feature the Petrov's Defense?
Over 57 million Lichess games have reached the Petrov's Defense position. White wins 50.9%, Black wins 45.3%, with 3.8% draws — based on real rated games.