Theoria
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Petrov's Defense

Classical Attack, Closed Variation

C42solidoffbeat

  1. 1.e4e5
  2. 2.Nf3Nf6
  3. 3.Nxe5d6
  4. 4.Nf3Nxe4
  5. 5.d4Nf6
1,172 games52%44%

Petrov's Defense line in which Black retreats 5...Nf6 instead of 5...d5, giving up the e4 outpost for a solid but passive position.

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About the Closed Variation

The Closed Variation, 5...Nf6, pulls the knight back from e4 instead of supporting it with 5...d5. Black sidesteps the pressure that Bd3 and c4 would bring against an advanced knight. The cost is the outpost and some space, leaving a solid but passive position facing White's pawn on d4. White develops freely, most often with 6. Bd3, while 6. Be2 and 6. c4 are the main alternatives. Engines give White a slight edge, and the line is far rarer than 5...d5.

Popular continuations