The PETROFF (or Russian) DEFENSE.
Named after Alexander PETROFF, a nineteenth century Russian player.
It's a safe, solid, but not very exciting choice for Black.
But there are a few traps you have to avoid.
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It's time to look at another opening. The PETROFF (or Russian) DEFENSE. Named after Alexander PETROFF, a nineteenth century Russian player. It's a safe, solid, but not very exciting choice for Black. But there are a few traps you have to avoid.
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We start with these moves:
1. e2-e4 e7-e5 2. Ng1-f3 Ng8-f6 Instead of DEFENDING the Pawn on e5 Black ATTACKS White's e4 Pawn. Now White has several choices. He could play Nb1-c3, when Black can copy White again - Nb8-c6 is the FOUR KNIGTS GAME, or play Bf8-b4. A good move for White is d2-d4 (when Black can play either e5xd4 or Nf6xe4) but the move we recommend is Nf3xe5.
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Here's the position. I'll tell you now that Black has only one good move here, and that's d7-d6. But kids who don't know this are often tempted by alternatives. A lot of beginners - you've probably played them - like to copy their opponents' moves if they're Black. So they play Nf3xe4.
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Well, then, Buster! Which of these moves would you choose for White?
 Qd1-e2
 Qd1-f3 Qd1-g4
 Qd1-h5 
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Well, you might think they all look quite tempting. Yes, Qd1-f3 is a FORK, but can be met comfortably by Ne4-f6. Qd1-h5 also threatens MATE, but Black's unlikely to fall for it - Qd8-f6 is fine. Qd1-g4 is no good after d7-d5, DEFENDING the Knight and AMBUSHING the Queen. Although it breaks two of our opening rules (it develops the Queen early and blocks in the Bishop on f1) Qd1-e2 is the correct move, leading to a clear advantage for White. AND DON'T YOU FORGET IT!!
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Let's suppose first of all that, after Qd1-e2, Black moves his Knight back to f6, giving this position. You've probably seen positions like this several times before so you should know what White should do next. 
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Yes, it's an AMBUSH. The Knight move DISCOVERS CHECK by the White Queen and at the same time THREATENS the Black Queen. Black is going to end up a queen for a knight behind. That's what happens to copycats. And it serves them right, as well, doesn't it?
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Here's your position - what now for White? Nb1-c3
d2-d3 f2-f3
Qe2-b5+
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The best move is d2-d3 - congratulations if you found it! Qe2-b5+ is a totally useless check. Nb1-c3 is the right idea, but not as good. Black has time to defend with Qd8-e7. f2-f3 again is the right idea but Black can complicate things with Qd8-h4+.
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We've now reached this position. Again, if Black moves the Knight on e4 you know what happens - Ne5-c6 DISCOVERED CHECK wins the Black Queen. But if he leaves the Knight there White will take it. His best move is Qd8-e7 (which was also possible the previous move) but White will still end up a pawn ahead in a good position.
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Don't be tempted by Qd8-e7, either. Yes, White MIGHT fall for a similar trap and lose his Queen. He MIGHT also jummp off the top of a cliff. But more likely he'll stop all the traps and later gain time by attacking your Queen. There's only one move worth playing for Black here and that's d7-d6.
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White now has to do something about his Knight. He COULD try sacrificing it to drive the Black King out (Ne5xf7). This is called the COCHRANE GAMBIT - perhaps worth a try if you don't mind taking a few risks. But otherwise there's no reason not to play the Knight hack to f3. Black then has no choice - he regains the pawn with Nf6xe4.
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White has several choices in this position. A natural move is d2-d3, but it just leads to a symmetrical and pretty boring position. Another obvious try is Qd1-e2, going for the same idea as in the COPYCAT TRAP. Let's take a look at that now.
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Tell me something. You've probably noticed that the Black Knight is THREATENED. What should he do about it? d6-d5
Bc8-f5 Qd8-e7
f7-f5
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He MUST block the e-file before something really nasty happens to him. If you chose ANY of the other moves, you'll lose a Knight. Let's find out why.
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We'll give Black the move d6-d5 (the other alternatives would have been met the same way. It's over to you to tell me White's next move.
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White THREATENS the PINNED KNIGHT. There's nothing Black can do to save it. But if Black had played Qd8-e7 instead he'd have BROKEN THE PIN and would have been able to retreat safely.
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So Qd1-e2 only gives White an extremely boring - and extremely equal - position if Black avoids the traps. If you've done the previous lesson it should come as no surprise to you that the most popular - and strongest - move in this position is d2-d4. And Black - who wants his fair share of the center, plays d6-d5.
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The position's almost symmetrical. The only difference is that Black has a Knight on e4, while White's Knight is on f3. Is Black's Knight strong or weak? White's plan is to try to undermine it. His next move is Bf1-d3, he'll then play 0-0 and probably c2-c4.
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An alternative to d2-d4 is Nb1-c3 (see diagram). This move sets a trap that numbers a World Champion among its victims. Black can reach an equal position by playing Ne4xc3, but instead see what happens after Bc8-f5. Vishy Anand of India is now one of the world's strongest players. In 1988, when he was World Junior Champion he fell for this trap.
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Here's the position - can you find the move to beat a world champion?
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The simple winning move is, indeed, Qd1-e2. Black's Knight is THREATENED. You already know what happens if Black defends it with, for instance, d6-d5. White wins the Knight by playing d2-d3. But, I hear you asking, what if Black, as we've seen before, blocks the e-file with Qd8-e7?
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Well, here's the position after Qd8-e7. Can you find White's killer move here?
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Nc3-d5 leaves Black dead! If he moves his Queen to d8 or d7, d2-d3 again wins the PINNED Knight. And if he tries Qe7-e6 White can play Nd5-c7+ - a FAMILY FORK winning the Queen. Black cannot avoid losing either his Knight on e4 or his Queen.
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In this game Black wasted time with his Queen, moving to e7 (DON'T DO THIS UNLESS WHITE PLAYS Qd1-e2) and then back to d8. How can White take advantage?
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It's DOUBLE CHECK - the Bishop and the Rook are BOTH checking the Black King. A player in DOUBLE CHECK can ONLY move his King - and here the King has no squares. If you found the move, bravo!!
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It's solid, safe (provided you avoid the traps), but not very exciting. And White can play for a draw by choosing the Qd1-e2 variation. If you're happy with that it might just be a good opening for you to play when you're Black. But if you don't fancy playing either Ng8-f6 or Nb8-c6 on move 2 after 1. e2-e4 e7-e5 2. Ng1-f3 there's one more move you might consider.
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André Philidor was a Frenchman who was the strongest chess player of the 18th century. He was also a composer of operas and other works - some of which are still performed today. This is another solid defense. It's a little bit passive because it blocks in Black's Queen's Bishop.
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From what you've learned about the importance of PAWNS IN THE CENTER it should come as no surprise to you to know that the best move here is d2-d4. Another good move, and one which sets a few traps, is Bf1-c4. A move you SHOULDN'T play, though, is Bf1-b5+. PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE avoid playing these Bishop checks which can be blocked by a pawn. I'm sorry but it's a complete waste of time. Black just plays c7-c6 and the unfortunate Bish has to move again! Only play a check if you have a GOOD REASON for doing so!
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Black has several choices here: 1. He can give up the center with e5xd4. White has more space in the center but Black has a solid position and can develop easily. 2. He can try to hold the center by playing moves like Ng8-f6, Nb8-d7 and Bf8-e7. 3. He can do what Philidor did and strike out with f7-f5. Very dangerous but if you know what you're doing you might just get away with it.
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Black has to be a little bit careful here. We recommend that he should play first Bf8-e7, then Ng8-f6 and 0-0. The immediate Ng8-f6 seems natural and obvious, but there's a slight problem, as you'll see.
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You've seen this sort of idea before - in the TWO KNIGHTS' DEFENSE. If you don't remember, go back to Class 6 to repeat the lesson. Now if d6-d5, White's a move ahead of the TWO KNIGHTS' DEFENSE. And anything else (Bc8-e6 is probably best) will lose at least a pawn. So, if you want to play the PHILIDOR DEFENSE with Black, be careful!!
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What should Black play in this position?
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Congratulations!! You have now completed the PETROFF DEFENCE assignment.  
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