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The Petroff (or Russian Czarist) Defence is one of the
standard king's pawn defences adopted by Black after initial steps along the
"Épine Dorsale" (a set of moves common to several
openings). FIrst analysed by Alexander Petroff (1794-1867) and
Jaenisch. |
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| Black answers the early KKt-attack on his KP
by an direct counter-attack against White's KP
(move 2b, left). Usually good for a draw
with best play. |
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An early pawn exchange leads to open play (as shown by
move 6b, right), while White often adopts
increasingly artificial lines in order to avoid the drawing variations.
Strategies include the Cochrane Gambit, the
Jaenisch Variation, the
Symmetrical Variation and the
Russian Three Knights Variation. |