Petrov's Defence, Damiano Variation
Petrov's Defence (a.k.a. Petroff or Russian Defence)
Definition
Petrov’s Defence is a symmetrical king-pawn opening that begins 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6. Instead of protecting the e5-pawn (as in 2…Nc6), Black counter-attacks White’s e4-pawn. The result is an immediately balanced position where both sides fight for the centre with piece play rather than pawn chains.
Typical Move Order
The most frequently seen continuation is:
- e4 e5
- Nf3 Nf6
- Nxe5 d6
- Nf3 Nxe4
- d4 d5
White can also sidestep with 3.d4 (the Steinitz Attack) or 3.Nc3 (the Three Knights), while Black has secondary tries on move three such as 3…Nc6 or 3…Qe7 (the Damiano Variation—see next section).
Strategic Ideas
- Solid but slightly passive for Black. Black typically concedes a small space advantage but enjoys a sound pawn structure and easy development.
- Early piece equality. The forced queen exchanges in many lines can lead to simplified endings where understanding pawn majorities (White on the kingside, Black on the queenside) is critical.
- Psychological weapon. Because many e4-players prepare for the open games (Ruy López, Italian, Scotch), the Petrov sidesteps mainstream theory and can push opponents into quieter waters where preparation counts less.
Historical Significance
The opening is named after the Russian master Alexander Petrov (1794–1867), who analysed it in detail long before modern engines confirmed its resilience. It reached world-championship level popularity in the 1980s and 1990s when Karpov, Yusupov, and later Kramnik used it as a mainstay to neutralise 1.e4. Kramnik’s adoption in his 2000 match versus Kasparov cemented its status as one of the most reliable defences to the king-pawn opening.
Illustrative Game
Kramnik vs. Kasparov, World Championship (London) 2000, Game 2. Kramnik calmly exchanged queens on move 7, forced a totally symmetrical endgame, and drew comfortably—an early psychological blow to Kasparov’s typically aggressive 1.e4 repertoire. (Full score: [[Pgn|e4|e5|Nf3|Nf6| Nxe5|d6|Nf3|Nxe4|d4|d5|Bd3|Be7|O-O|Nc6|Re1|Bg4|c4|Nf6|Nc3|O-O|cxd5|Nxd5]]).
Interesting Facts
- In many junior circles the Petrov is jokingly called “the handshake opening” because pieces disappear so quickly that players feel as if they are already shaking hands for a draw.
- Modern engines rate the starting position after 2…Nf6 as equal (≈0.00) within a few centipawns—remarkable given how early the evaluation stabilises.
Damiano Variation of the Petrov
Definition
The Damiano Variation is a lesser-used branch of Petrov’s Defence that starts 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nxe5 Qe7. Black immediately attacks the e5-knight with the queen instead of the more solid 3…d6. While superficially logical, it concedes time and blocks the natural development of the f8-bishop, giving White several promising replies.
Why It Is Rarely Played
- Loss of tempo. After 4.d4 or 4.Nf3, White gains space while the black queen must later relocate.
- Piece activity. White’s minor pieces emerge rapidly (Bc4, Nc3, O-O) whereas Black struggles to develop the king-side bishop and connect rooks.
- Statistical danger. Databases show White scoring well above 60 % in praxis, making it an unpopular choice at master level.
Main Continuations
- 4.d4 d6 5.Nf3 Qxe4+ 6.Be2 (or 6.Be3) — White opens the centre and enjoys a lead in development despite material equality.
- 4.Nf3 Qxe4+ 5.Be2 — Simplest; the e-pawn is recovered later while Black’s queen will still have to move again.
- 4.d4 Nxe4 5.Be2 — Black tries to cling to the extra pawn but his position remains cramped.
Historical Background
Named (somewhat unfairly) after the 16th-century Portuguese master Pedro Damiano, who actually condemned the line in his 1512 treatise. He recommended the stronger 3…d6 and warned that 3…Qe7 wastes time—advice modern theory confirms.
Example Miniature
An attacking demonstration from online rapid play, 2022: [[Pgn|e4|e5|Nf3|Nf6|Nxe5|Qe7|d4|d6|Nf3|Qxe4+|Be2|Be7|Nc3|Qg6|O-O|O-O|Re1|Re8|Bd3| Qh5|Bg5|Bg4|Bxf6|gxf6|Nd5|Qxd5|Bxh7+|Kxh7|Ng5+|fxg5|Qxg4|Nc6|Qh5+|Kg7|Rxe7|Rxe7|Qxg5+|Qxg5| Qxg5+|Kf8|Qh6+|Kg8|Qg5+|Kf8|d5|Ne5|f4|Ng6|f5|Re5|Qd8+|Kg7|fxg6|Rxd8|gxf7|Rf8|Re1]] White’s initiative quickly overwhelms the black king, illustrating the practical risks.
Curiosities
- Because Damiano disapproved of 2…f6 (the Damiano Defence) and 3…Qe7, chess historians sometimes refer to these lines as “damned by Damiano” rather than “invented” by him.
- Top-level grandmasters occasionally wheel it out as a surprise weapon in blitz, counting on shock value. For instance, Nakamura used it in an online bullet game, immediately following up with a queen sacrifice to reach a drawn ending.
- Engines show the position after 3…Qe7 4.d4 as +0.60 to +0.80 for White—hardly crushing, but enough to discourage perfection-seeking professionals.