Chessy
Petrov's Defense: Modern Attack, Symmetrical Variation for Black
After 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.d4 d5, White has an active central challenge and the position is already sharp. Your job as Black is to know the main reply, stay calm when White grabs space, and punish inaccurate moves quickly. The drill below lets you practise the exact position against an adapting engine, so you can feel which continuations are sound and which ones leave White with the upper hand.
Play the Petrov's Defense: Modern Attack, Symmetrical Variation against the engine
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Create a free account →What this position asks of Black
This line is not about memorising a long trap. It is about meeting White’s central play with accurate development and good judgement. Stockfish rates this +0.62, a small edge for White. That means you are slightly worse here. The practical lesson is simple: do not drift, and do not waste time. In a position like this, Black needs a clean response and a clear plan, because White is the one pressing first.
The move the engine trusts most
The engine’s best move here is exd5, and the continuation given is exd5 exd4 Bb5+ c6. That is the line to understand first when you train this position. The point is to answer White’s central tension directly instead of letting the initiative grow. In practical terms, this is a position where accurate piece placement matters more than fancy ideas. If you choose the engine move in the drill, you give yourself the best chance to keep the game under control.
What the database says
The numbers show that White does well from this exact position across 120,677 games in the Lichess database. White wins 56.8%, draws 4.0%, and Black wins 39.2%. That does not make the position hopeless, but it does mean you should treat it as a position where White’s chances are better and your accuracy matters. The most played continuations also show that White has several common ways to keep the game moving, so you need to know the position rather than guess.
The moves White chooses most often
White’s most-played continuations are dxe5 with 75,581 games, exd5 with 19,764 games, Nxe5 with 12,390 games, Nc3 with 5,035 games, Bg5 with 3,419 games, and Bd3 with 1,110 games. For training, that means you will see a range of quiet and active choices from White. The important part is not to be surprised by the first move you meet. Build a habit of responding to the central tension first, then developing your pieces with purpose.
The mistake to punish
One known mistake in this position is Bd3. It loses about 2.5 pawns, and exd5 was better. That is useful for practical play because it gives you a clear warning sign: if White develops naturally but ignores the central details, you can often take advantage quickly. In the drill, train yourself to notice when White has chosen the wrong setup and to reply with active, precise play.
Results across 120,677 Lichess games
| Most-played continuation | Games | White wins |
|---|---|---|
| dxe5 | 75,581 | 56.8% |
| exd5 | 19,764 | 59.4% |
| Nxe5 | 12,390 | 59.0% |
| Nc3 | 5,035 | 51.1% |
| Bg5 | 3,419 | 55.0% |
| Bd3 | 1,110 | 45.4% |
Frequently asked questions
What is the main move for Black in this Petrov line?
The engine’s best move here is **exd5**. It is the most reliable way to meet White’s central play in this exact position. The listed continuation is **exd5 exd4 Bb5+ c6**.
Is this position good for Black?
The evaluation is **+0.62**, a small edge for White. So you are slightly worse here and should play accurately. The position is still playable, but White is the side with the more pleasant chances.
What do the database results suggest?
Across **120,677 games**, White scores **56.8%**, draws are **4.0%**, and Black scores **39.2%**. That means White has done better in practice from this exact position. It is a good line to study if you want to understand where Black needs precision.
Which White move should I watch out for?
White’s most common continuation is **dxe5**, and the listed mistake is **Bd3**. **Bd3** loses about **2.5 pawns**, with **exd5** being better. In the drill, pay close attention to White’s central decision first.
How many games feature the Petrov's Defense: Modern Attack, Symmetrical Variation?
Over 120K Lichess games have reached the Petrov's Defense: Modern Attack, Symmetrical Variation position. White wins 56.8%, Black wins 39.2%, with 4.0% draws — based on real rated games.