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Petrov’s Defense: all variations and ECO codes

50 named lines across 2 ECO codes (C42–C43). Source: the CC0-licensed lichess.org opening database.

The idea

Rather than defend the e5 pawn, Black counterattacks White’s own e4 pawn symmetrically, aiming for quick simplification and a solid, well-tested route to equality. It’s one of Black’s most reliable defenses to 1.e4 specifically because it avoids the sharp imbalances a Sicilian or King’s Gambit accepts on purpose.

The main line

Position after 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6 (C42). Open this line on Lichess → · Petrov’s Defense on Lichess

How the main line scores at your rating

Real Lichess win rates for 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6, playing as black: the family’s other variations are not separately tracked for win rate yet, main line only.

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Win/draw/loss rate by rating band
Rating bandGamesWhite / draw / BlackScore for black
1400-1600 2,341 White/draw/black: 48.0% / 2.6% / 49.4% 48.0% / 2.6% / 49.4% 50.7%
1600-1800 2,165 White/draw/black: 47.5% / 4.2% / 48.3% 47.5% / 4.2% / 48.3% 50.4%
1800-2000 1,576 White/draw/black: 50.1% / 4.9% / 45.0% 50.1% / 4.9% / 45.0% 47.4%
2000+ 1,011 White/draw/black: 46.6% / 5.2% / 48.2% 46.6% / 5.2% / 48.2% 50.8%

All 50 named variations

Every named line in the Petrov’s Defense family, from the CC0-licensed ECO classification: not separately tracked for win rate, but every ECO code and move sequence is real, sourced data.

Browse more

ECO Volume C: Open Games and the French Defense → · All ECO families → · Search and play every line in the interactive explorer →

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41 named lines, ECO C23

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18 named lines, ECO C20

Four Knights Game

49 named lines, ECO C47