Petrovs Defense: Classical & French Attack
Petrov’s Defense: Classical Attack
Definition
The Classical Attack is a main-line variation of the Petrov (or Russian) Defense that arises after the moves 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nxe5 d6 4. Nf3 Nxe4 5. d4 d5 6. Bd3. Instead of the immediate 5. Nc3 or 5. Qe2, White builds a broad pawn center with d4 and supports it by developing the king’s-bishop to d3.
How It Is Used
- Central Tension: By pushing d4 and later c4, White strives for space and central control, while Black counts on the solid pawn chain ...d6-…d5 to neutralize that space.
- Piece Play: The bishop on d3 targets h7 and can combine with a queen on c2/h5 for quick mating threats if Black is careless.
- Long-term Plans: Typical middlegames resemble the French Defense Exchange structure, but with both knights already exchanged; maneuvering on the light squares and pressure on the e-file dominate.
Strategic & Historical Significance
The Classical Attack became popular in the late 19th century when Mikhail Chigorin and Wilhelm Steinitz argued over the best way to meet the Petrov. In modern times it served Anatoly Karpov and, more recently, Fabiano Caruana as White weapons when they wanted a small but lasting pull without taking excessive risk.
Illustrative Game
A textbook example is Nepomniachtchi – Caruana, Candidates 2020 (Yekaterinburg), where White employed 6. Bd3 and 8. c4, gaining queenside space. Although the game ended in a draw, it showed the enduring viability of the line at elite level.
Interesting Facts
- The name “Classical” stems from the fact that it was considered the most principled, classical way to fight for the center in the 1800s.
- Some databases list 6. Bd3 as the Chigorin Attack, but among tournament players “Classical Attack” is more common.
- A pawn structure identical to the French Exchange often appears, yet both light-squared bishops remain on the board, dramatically altering typical plans.
Petrov’s Defense: French Attack
Definition
The French Attack is another branch of the Petrov Defense beginning 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nxe5 d6 4. Nf3 Nxe4 5. Qe2. White pins the e4-knight and prepares a set-up reminiscent of the French Defense (hence the name), usually following up with d3, Nbd2 and g3/Bg2.
Typical Usage
- Exploiting the Pin: The immediate threat is 6. Qxe4+, so Black almost always replies 5…Qe7, unpinning the knight but blocking the dark-squared bishop.
- Slow Build-Up: White’s plan is positional: consolidate the center with d3, castle kingside, and later push c4 or Re1 to increase pressure on e4.
- Black’s Counterplay: Black often counters with …d5 and …Nc6, accepting a slightly cramped but very solid structure.
Strategic & Historical Context
Although the line was analyzed by Carl Jaenisch in the 1850s, it gained real prominence when Viktor Korchnoi adopted it in the 1970s. Its current appeal lies in steering the game into less-theoretical waters while avoiding the massive symmetry that characterizes other Petrov branches.
Example Game
Adams – Ivanchuk, Monte Carlo 2005, is a model encounter. Adams followed the classical plan 6. d3 7. Nbd2 8. g3, slowly increased the pressure on e4, won a pawn in the middlegame, and converted in a lengthy rook endgame.
Interesting Nuggets
- The French Attack sidesteps the notorious “Petrov draw” reputation; decisive results occur in over 45 % of master games.
- Because 5. Qe2 momentarily halts Black’s development, some players nickname the move the “time-steal pin.”
- Computer engines initially disliked White’s setup, but modern neural-network evaluations now give White a sliver of an edge—reflecting the line’s recent renaissance at top level.