Petrovs Defense: Classical Paulsen Attack
Petrov’s Defense – Classical (Paulsen) Attack
Definition
The Classical (Paulsen) Attack is a sharp and strategically rich branch of the Petrov’s (or Petroff) Defense that arises after the moves 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nxe5 d6 4. Nf3 Nxe4 5. d4. Named after the 19th-century German master Louis Paulsen, the variation tests Black’s symmetrical setup by seizing central space with the pawn thrust d4 while keeping development fluid. The ECO code is C42.
Typical Move Order
Standard moves leading to the position:
- e4 e5
- Nf3 Nf6
- Nxe5 d6
- Nf3 Nxe4
- d4 d5 (most common)
- Bd3 Be7
- O-O O-O
After 5. d4, White’s goals are to establish a strong pawn center and accelerate development, while Black attempts to neutralize the initiative by exchanging pieces and exploiting the slightly over-extended e- and d-pawns.
Strategic Themes
- Central Control: The move 5.d4 immediately confronts the e5–square and aims to obtain a broad pawn center (pawns on e4 & d4) that cramps Black.
- Piece Activity vs. Structural Solidity: White usually accepts an isolated or hanging-pawn structure later, banking on rapid development, open diagonals for the bishops, and kingside attacking chances (especially after Bc1–g5 or Bf1–d3).
- Black’s Counterplay: Black tries to undermine the center with …c5 or …f5 and to trade minor pieces (…Bg4 and …Nc6-b4) to ease spatial pressure.
- Endgame Considerations: The symmetrical pawn skeleton can lead to near-equal but tricky endings in which the more active king and minor pieces can decide the game.
Historical Significance
Louis Paulsen (1833–1891) used this line to great effect in mid-19th-century master play, advocating sound defensive structures long before hyper-modern ideas became fashionable. Although the Petrov itself was later popularized by Wilhelm Steinitz, the Paulsen Attack preserved Paulsen’s legacy by showcasing his preference for solid yet flexible openings.
Illustrative Game
Anatoly Karpov – Artur Yusupov, Tilburg 1986
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Nxe5 d6
4.Nf3 Nxe4 5.d4 d5 6.Bd3 Be7
7.O-O O-O 8.c4 Nc6 9.Nc3 Nxc3
10.bxc3 Be6 11.c5! (seizing space)
Karpov slowly increased the pressure on the queenside and
scored an instructive end-game victory, demonstrating the
enduring positional bite of the Paulsen Attack.
Modern Usage
The line is less fashionable at elite level today than the Nimzowitsch (5.Nc3) or the Steinitz (5.Qe2) variations, yet it remains a potent surprise weapon. Grandmasters such as Alexander Grischuk and Boris Gelfand have occasionally adopted it to steer opponents away from heavy computer preparation.
Key Tactical Motifs
- e4–e5 Break: After preparatory moves (Re1, c4, Nc3), White often pushes e4–e5 to open lines toward the black king.
- Bishop Sacrifice on h7: Because Black’s knight sits on f6 and the dark-squared bishop may go to e7, the classic Bxh7+ sacrifice sometimes appears if …dxe4 weakens g6.
- Queen Lifts: Qd1–h5 or Qd1–f3 can create direct mating nets when combined with Bd3 and a rook on e1.
Typical Position Diagram
The following mini-PGN shows the fundamental Paulsen structure:
Interesting Facts & Anecdotes
- Paulsen was known for using a chessboard-shaped time chart to record how long he spent on each move — an early precursor to modern time-management analytics.
- In the 2002 FIDE Knockout World Championship, an under-prepared opponent chose the Classical Paulsen as White against Peter Svidler; Svidler uncorked a novelty on move 10 (…Bg4!), won swiftly, and later remarked in the press room, “When you play the Paulsen you have to know the Paulsen.”
- Because of the symmetrical pawn structure and early exchanges, databases show an unusually high drawing percentage in grandmaster practice — roughly 45 %, compared with 30 % for the sharper Steinitz Attack.
Summary
The Classical (Paulsen) Attack of the Petrov’s Defense is a sound, historically significant weapon that marries central occupation with fluid development. Though eclipsed by trendier alternatives, it rewards players who relish subtle maneuvering, microscopic structural edges, and the challenge of extracting life from apparently equal positions.