Petrovs Defense, Urusov Gambit & Lichtenhein Defense
Petrov’s Defense (Russian Game)
Definition & Main Move-Order
Petrov’s Defense, also called the Russian Game, arises after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6. Black immediately mirrors White’s king-knight thrust, challenging the e4-pawn and aiming for rapid piece activity and a solid, symmetrical structure.
How the Opening is Used
- Counter-attack rather than passive defense. 2…Nf6 ignores the threat to e5 and instead attacks e4, inviting complexities after 3.Nxe5.
- Equalizing weapon. Grandmasters employ the Petrov when they seek a sound position with good drawing chances yet plenty of scope for counterplay.
- A flexible repertoire choice. Black may adopt solid, positional lines (Classical Variation) or sharper systems such as the Cochrane Gambit counterattack (4.Nxf7!?).
Strategic Themes
- Central symmetry. Early piece exchanges often lead to equal pawn structures, so understanding subtle pawn breaks (c- and d-files) becomes vital.
- Minor-piece activity. The black light-squared bishop often develops via e7, g7, or sometimes b4 after …Bb4+.
- Regaining the e5-pawn. In the main line (3.Nxe5 d6 4.Nf3 Nxe4) each side temporarily captures the opponent’s central pawn but quickly restores material balance, leading to an open, balanced game.
Historical Significance
Named for the Russian master Alexander Petrov (1794-1867), the opening became Russia’s signature defense in the 19th century. World Champions such as Wilhelm Steinitz and Boris Spassky used it, and it enjoyed a renaissance when Kramnik, Karpov, and Gelfand revitalized its theory in the 1990s-2000s.
Illustrative Example
One of the classic main-line positions arises after
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Nxe5 d6 4.Nf3 Nxe4 5.d4 d5 6.Bd3 Bd6.
Both sides have equal material and symmetrical pawns, yet subtle differences:
White’s bishop on d3 eyes h7, while Black hopes to break with …c5 or …Bg4.
Interesting Facts
- In Kasparov vs. Anand, World Championship 1995, game 11, Anand neutralized Kasparov’s initiative with the Petrov and drew comfortably.
- The Cochrane Gambit (4.Nxf7!?), though unsound at top level, is popular in blitz for its attack on Black’s king; it dates back to the swash-buckling priest Rev. John Cochrane (1798-1878).
- Engines rate the Petrov as one of the very few defenses that can consistently hold White below a 54 % score at elite level.
Urusov Gambit – Lichtenhein Defense
Definition & Move-Order
The Urusov Gambit begins with 1. e4 e5 2. Bc4 Nf6 3. d4 exd4 4. Nf3, sacrificing a pawn for rapid development and assaults on f7. When Black replies with 4…Bb4+ the line is called the Lichtenhein Defense, after the 19th-century American master George H. Lichtenhein, who recommended the check as an antidote.
Why Black Plays 4…Bb4+
- Forces a concession. The check compels White either to block with Nc3 (allowing doubled pawns after …dxc3) or Bd2 (disconnecting queen and bishop).
- Neutralizes the c4-bishop. After the interposition, Black often castles quickly and targets the weakened d4-pawn.
- Transpositional possibilities. Depending on White’s reply, positions may transpose into a French-like structure, a Two Knights Defense, or even a Petroff with colors reversed.
Main Continuations
- 5. c3 dxc3 6. O-O White gambits a second pawn for a huge lead in development. Black must tread carefully: 6…O-O 7.e5 d5 8.exf6 dxc4 gives dynamic equality.
- 5. Bd2 Bxd2+ 6. Nbxd2 White accepts a quieter game, hoping to regain the pawn later on d4 or e5.
- 5. Nbd2 A more modern idea, keeping pieces on the board and preparing e5 or Nb3.
Historical & Strategic Significance
The gambit is named for Russian theoretician Prince Sergey Semyonovich Urusov (1827-1897), a friend of Paul Morphy. It flourished in the Romantic Era when rapid development and attacking chances were prized over material. The specific Lichtenhein Defense became popular after the Anderssen–Lichtenhein match, New York 1866, where Lichtenhein successfully used …Bb4+ to blunt Anderssen’s initiative.
Sample Game (miniature)
Anderssen – Lichtenhein, New York 1866
1.e4 e5 2.Bc4 Nf6 3.d4 exd4 4.Nf3 Bb4+ 5.c3 dxc3 6.O-O cxb2 7.Bxb2 O-O 8.e5 Ne8 9.Nc3 Bxc3 10.Bxc3 Nc6 11.Re1 d6 12.e6 Bxe6 13.Rxe6 fxe6 and Black eventually converted the material edge.
Typical Plans for Each Side
- White
- Exploit open lines: Re1, e5 break, Qb3 to pile on f7.
- Rapid castling (O-O) and rook lifts along the third rank (Re3-g3).
- Recover the pawn with Nxd4 or Bxf7+ when tactics favor it.
- Black
- Return material if necessary to complete development.
- Counter-punch in the center with …d5 or …d6, then …Nc6.
- Exploit White’s potentially over-extended e- and c-pawns.
Interesting Facts
- Modern engines show that 4…Bb4+ is objectively equal or slightly better for Black, yet the gambit still scores well under rapid time-controls because of practical pressure.
- IM Marc Esserman and GM Alex Lenderman revived the Urusov in the 2010s with spectacular attacking wins in U.S. tournaments.
- Some databases list the entire line as a sub-variation of the Bishop’s Opening: C24 in Eco codes (Urusov Gambit, Lichtenhein Defense).