Petrov's Defense: Paulsen Attack
Petrov's Defense: Paulsen Attack
Definition
The Paulsen Attack is a sharp sideline of Petrov’s Defense (also called the Russian Game), reached after the moves:
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Bc4
Instead of the mainstream continuations 3.Nxe5 or 3.d4, White immediately develops the king-side bishop to the a2–g8 diagonal, eyeing the vulnerable f7-square and sidestepping the heavy theory of the symmetrical main lines. The variation is named for the 19th-century German master Louis Paulsen, who employed it with notable success against contemporaries such as Adolf Anderssen.
Typical Move Order & Main Branches
- 3…Nxe4 4.Nc3 – by far Black’s most common reply, grabbing the e-pawn and challenging White to prove compensation. Play often continues 4…Nxc3 5.dxc3, when White has the bishop pair and open lines.
- 3…Bc5 – a quieter development that defends the pawn and invites an Italian-Game style position after 4.0-0.
- 3…d5 – an immediate central counterstrike that can transpose to Scotch-type structures.
Strategic Ideas for White
- Target the sensitive f7-square with Bc4, Qe2, Ng5 or Bxf7+ motifs.
- Rapid development and quick castling to generate early initiative; the position often becomes unbalanced after 4.Nc3.
- After 3…Nxe4 4.Nc3, recapture on e4 or c3 to seize the centre with d2–d4, creating open lines for the two bishops.
- Keep pieces on the board—exchanges favour Black, whose structure is more solid if he can neutralise the bishop pair.
Strategic Ideas for Black
- Accept the pawn with 3…Nxe4 and return it later if necessary, banking on sound structure and piece activity.
- Counter in the centre with …d5 and …c6; strive for a solid setup reminiscent of the Classical Petrov.
- Neutralise the bishop on c4 (…c6 & …d5 or …d5 immediately) and aim to exchange it with …Be6 or …dxc4.
- Be wary of tactical blows on f7 and pins along the a2–g8 diagonal.
Historical Significance
Louis Paulsen (1833-1891) was one of the earliest masters to champion hyper-modern concepts such as blockade and prophylaxis, yet he also produced attacking gems. His use of 3.Bc4 against the Petrov in the 1860s gave the line its name. Although eclipsed in modern grand-master practice by the ultra-solid 3.Nxe5 and 3.d4 variations, the Paulsen Attack remains a practical surprise weapon—especially in rapid and blitz, where forcing play and unfamiliar positions can pay big dividends.
Illustrative Mini-Game
The following fragment shows typical Paulsen themes (Paulsen–Anderssen, Leipzig 1863, abbreviated):
- White sacrifices a pawn (and later an exchange) to expose the black king and keep the initiative.
- The bishop on c4 and queen on h5/h6 team up against f7 and h7, demonstrating the line’s attacking potential.
Modern Example
Even super-GMs occasionally dust off the Paulsen, as in Rapid World Cup, 2021: Nihal Sarin – R. Pappa
White regained the pawn, obtained the bishop pair and went on to convert in a double-bishop endgame.
Interesting Facts & Anecdotes
- Because 3.Bc4 breaks the famous Petrov symmetry on move three, some club players jokingly call it “the Russian Defence with an Italian accent.”
- In online blitz, the Paulsen Attack scores considerably above average in games under three minutes (see ), underlining its value as a surprise weapon.
- Engines evaluate the main line 3…Nxe4 4.Nc3!? as roughly equal (≈ 0.20 – 0.30 for Black at depth 40), but practical results favour White by a small margin thanks to tactical pitfalls.
When to Use the Paulsen Attack
Choose the Paulsen Attack if you:
- Prefer open, tactical play over symmetrical manoeuvring.
- Want to avoid reams of Petrov theory without switching to 1.d4 or 1.c4.
- Are comfortable sacrificing a pawn for rapid development and long-term pressure.
Conversely, consider another line if you are seeking a quiet advantage or wish to minimise risk against theoretically well-prepared opponents.