Petrovs Defense: Classical Millennium Attack
Petrov’s Defense (also called the Petroff Defense)
Definition
The Petrov’s Defense is a double-king-pawn opening that begins 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6. Instead of replying to the king-knight’s advance with the customary 2…Nc6, Black mirrors White’s move, immediately challenging the e4-pawn and striving for complete symmetry.
Typical Move-Order & Main Ideas
After 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 there are two principal branches:
- 3. Nxe5 d6 4. Nf3 Nxe4 (the Classical System).
- 3. d4 Nxe4 4. Bd3 (Steinitz Attack) or 4. Bd3 d5 (Modern lines).
Strategically, Black aims to neutralize the initiative with solid development, rapid castling, and eventual counter-punching in the center. White, on the other hand, tries to exploit the early symmetry to obtain a lead in development or to steer play into more tactical sidelines.
Strategic & Historical Significance
The opening is named after the Russian master Alexander Petrov (1794-1867), who published the first Russian chess manual and popularized the defense in St. Petersburg circles. It is celebrated for its:
- Reliability. Many elite grandmasters—including Kramnik, Caruana, Anand, and Gelfand—have trusted it in World-Championship settings.
- Psychological effect. By offering mirror-play, Black invites equal fights, testing White’s patience and technical prowess.
- Endgame tendency. The early exchanges often channel the game into simplified, endgame-like structures in which accurate technique is paramount.
Illustrative Example
This classical line shows the “four-knight tango”: both e-pawns vanish and each side’s knight has captured twice in the opening phase.
Famous Games
- Kramnik – Kasparov, Linares 1994. Kramnik used the Petroff as Black to neutralize Kasparov in just 25 moves.
- Caruana – Carlsen, World Championship 2018: Game 12. Carlsen adopted the Petroff with ease, steering the match into rapid playoffs.
Interesting Facts
- The Petroff is one of the few double-king-pawn defenses whose ECO codes (C42-C43) occupy an entire subsection.
- The defense enjoyed a surge when computers proved that many alleged
refutations
were illusory; modern engines even rate some lines slightly in Black’s favor.
Classical (as a Chess Term)
Definition
In chess nomenclature “Classical” designates a variation or approach that follows orthodox, time-honored principles: rapid development of minor pieces toward the center, timely castling, and solid pawn structures. The label is employed across many openings to differentiate straightforward, principle-driven systems from more modern, hypermodern, or speculative alternatives.
Usage in Opening Names
- Sicilian Defense, Classical Variation: 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 Nc6.
- King’s Indian Defense, Classical: 1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. Nc3 Bg7 4. e4 d6 5. Nf3 O-O 6. Be2 e5.
- Ruy López, Classical Defense: 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 Bc5.
- Petrov’s Defense, Classical System: 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nxe5 d6 4. Nf3 Nxe4 (see previous section).
Why Call Something “Classical”?
The term was popularized in the late 19th and early 20th centuries when new hypermodern
ideas—fianchettoes, controlled flexibility, delayed pawn occupation of the center—challenged established doctrines. To distinguish the older, center-occupying lines, authors began prefixing them with “Classical.”
Strategic Significance
- Soundness. Classical lines are usually evaluated as fundamentally healthy for both sides.
- Pedagogical Value. Coaches often recommend classical systems to help students internalize core principles.
- Benchmark Role. Because their theoretical evaluation is stable, classical setups serve as yardsticks when assessing experimental novelties.
Interesting Anecdote
During the 1920s debates between José Raúl Capablanca and Richard Réti, Capablanca dismissed the hypermodernists’ pet systems as unreliable.
Réti cheekily retorted that the Classical
school was getting classical—i.e., old-fashioned.
Despite the banter, both schools of thought coexist profitably today.
Millennium Attack (in the Petrov’s Defense)
Definition & Move-Order
The Millennium Attack is an enterprising line for White inside the Petrov (ECO C43):
- e4 e5
- Nf3 Nf6
- Nxe5 d6
- Nf3 Nxe4
- Nc3!
The idea is to avoid the massive piece exchanges of the Classical System and to unbalance the position early. White immediately pressures the e4-knight and keeps more pieces on the board, aiming for dynamic play rather than a dry equality.
Main Continuations
- 5…Nxc3 6. dxc3 Be7 7. Be3 O-O 8. Qd2: White enjoys the bishop pair and a compact center ready to advance with 0-0-0 and g2-g4.
- 5…d5 6. Qe2 (& not 6. Bd3?!) f5 7. d3: a sharp structure where both sides castle opposite wings is common.
Strategic Themes
- Piece Activity. White delays pawn commitments and develops rapidly, often putting bishops on e3 and d3 to eye h7.
- Flexible Center. The pawn duo c2-d2 (after c-pawn capture) can later strike with c4 or d4, depending on Black’s setup.
- Asymmetry. Unlike many Petroff lines, the Millennium avoids full symmetry, opening the door to kingside attacks or long-term endgame pressure.
Historical Notes
The line was christened around the year 2000—hence “Millennium”—after several young players (notably Alexander Grischuk) revived it in high-level internet events. Its reputation grew as engines indicated that Black must tread carefully to equalize.
Sample Miniature
Though not flawless for either side, the game (Internet Blitz, 2001) demonstrates typical attacking motifs: h-pawn storm, Bxh7+ sacrifice, and a tactical melee ultimately favoring White.
Interesting Facts
- Because theory is less dense than in the Classical Petroff, the Millennium Attack is a favorite surprise weapon in rapid and blitz.
- Some databases record its ECO extension as C43/‘Millennium’, an unofficial yet popular tag among online platforms.
- Modern engines assess the line at roughly +0.30 after 5.Nc3, suggesting a slight, enduring pull in White’s favor if played precisely.