Chessy
Petrov's Defense: Modern Attack as White
After 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.d4, the game reaches a sharp early crossroads. You are White, and your job is to decide how to handle Black’s central challenge before the game settles into a normal middlegame. The engine says you are a little better here, but Black has a very natural reply and several popular continuations. Use the drill to practise the exact position and learn what to expect when Black meets this line head-on.
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Create a free account →What this position is really about
This opening is about opening the centre early and asking Black to prove that the knight on f6 is well placed. As White, you are not trying to memorise a long forcing line; you are trying to keep the initiative, stay active, and make Black react accurately. The position is already concrete, so piece activity and central tension matter more than slow manoeuvring. If you understand the ideas here, you will be comfortable meeting many different Black replies.
What the engine wants Black to do
Stockfish rates this +0.39, a small edge for White. That means you are slightly better here. The engine’s best move for Black is Nxe4, and the continuation given is Nxe4 Nxe5 d5 Bd3. In practical terms, that tells you Black’s most principled answer is to strike back immediately and keep the position active. In the drill, be ready to meet that central tension without losing your grip on development.
What the database says players choose
This position has been reached in 3,223,081 games in the Lichess database, so it is a very well-tested tabiya. White wins 52.6%, draws 3.6%, and Black wins 43.7%. The most-played continuations are exd4 with 1,762,438 games, Nxe4 with 736,981 games, d6 with 255,991 games, Nc6 with 234,892 games, d5 with 108,158 games, and Bb4+ with 34,566 games. The numbers show that you should be ready for a wide range of Black defences, not just one main line.
One clear mistake to punish
The known mistake here is Nc6. It loses about 1.0 pawns, and the better move was Nxe4. That is useful practical knowledge: if Black develops casually here, you may get the better game quickly. In your drill, keep an eye out for loose development and be ready to seize the initiative when Black does not answer the centre accurately.
Results across 3,223,081 Lichess games
| Most-played continuation | Games | White wins |
|---|---|---|
| exd4 | 1,762,438 | 50.8% |
| Nxe4 | 736,981 | 50.9% |
| d6 | 255,991 | 59.0% |
| Nc6 | 234,892 | 57.0% |
| d5 | 108,158 | 56.9% |
| Bb4+ | 34,566 | 61.2% |
Frequently asked questions
What is the main idea in Petrov's Defense: Modern Attack?
You challenge Black’s setup immediately with 3.d4 and try to keep the centre open. The position is sharp, and White is slightly better according to Stockfish. The key is to stay active and understand Black’s most natural replies.
What is Black’s best move in this position?
The engine’s best move is Nxe4. The listed continuation is Nxe4 Nxe5 d5 Bd3, which shows that Black can fight back by taking the e4 pawn and keeping the centre active. You should be ready for that idea in the drill.
Which reply do players choose most often?
The most-played continuation is exd4, with Nxe4 also very common. Other replies such as d6, Nc6, d5, and Bb4+ appear too, so this position can branch in several directions. That is why practising the exact tabiya is valuable.
Is this opening good for White?
Yes, the database results are slightly favourable for White, and the engine evaluation is also a small edge for White. That does not mean Black has no chances, though: the best defence is active and the position is still sharp. You need to know the ideas, not just the score.
How many games feature the Petrov's Defense: Modern Attack?
Over 3 million Lichess games have reached the Petrov's Defense: Modern Attack position. White wins 52.6%, Black wins 43.7%, with 3.6% draws — based on real rated games.