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Petrov's Defense

Kaufmann Attack

C42positionaloffbeat

  1. 1.e4e5
  2. 2.Nf3Nf6
  3. 3.Nxe5d6
  4. 4.Nf3Nxe4
  5. 5.c4
332 games49%41%

Petrov's Defense: Kaufmann Attack, 5. c4, is a slow Classical Petrov sideline in which White stops ...d5 before harassing the knight on e4.

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About the Kaufmann Attack

The Kaufmann Attack, 5. c4, replaces the usual 5. d4 with a move aimed at preventing ...d5, so that after d4 and Bd3 Black's knight on e4 lacks pawn support and must retreat. Keres also investigated it. The plan is slow: 5...Be7 6. d4 O-O 7. Bd3 Ng5 equalizes, while 5...Nc6 meets 6. d4 with 6...d5. Engines rate the position as balanced, and 5...Be7 is the most frequent reply.

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