C42 · Petrov's Defense

Petrov's Defense: Classical Attack, Chigorin Variation

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nxe5 d6 4. Nf3 Nxe4 5. d4 d5 6. Bd3 Be7 7. O-O Nc6 8. Re1

The position after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nxe5 d6 4. Nf3 Nxe4 5. d4 d5 6. Bd3 Be7 7. O-O Nc6 8. Re1, Black to move.

In the Petrov's Defense: Classical Attack, Chigorin Variation, aim to understand the plans and pawn structures, not just memorize the first moves.

See how you play it

The Petrov's Defense: Classical Attack, Chigorin Variation is a chess opening classified under ECO code C42. It is reached after the moves 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nxe5 d6 4. Nf3 Nxe4 5. d4 d5 6. Bd3 Be7 7. O-O Nc6 8. Re1: 15 moves in, with Black to play.

It belongs to the Petrov's Defense family — one of many ways the line can branch. Understanding the parent system’s plans is the fastest way to play this variation well.

Club players rarely lose the Petrov's Defense: Classical Attack, Chigorin Variation in the opening itself. They lose it a few moves later, when the plan behind the moves runs out: that is what reading your own games in this line shows you.

Play the Petrov's Defense: Classical Attack, Chigorin Variation? See where you go wrong.

Deepline reviews your real games, finds the exact moves that cost you, and trains the fixes.

Analyze my games free →

Related openings

Petrov Defense Petrov Defense: Classical Petrov's Defense Petrov's Defense: Classical Attack Petrov's Defense: Classical Attack, Berger Variation Petrov's Defense: Classical Attack, Chigorin Variation, Browne Attack Petrov's Defense: Classical Attack, Chigorin Variation, Main Line Petrov's Defense: Classical Attack, Closed Variation Petrov's Defense: Classical Attack, Jaenisch Variation Petrov's Defense: Classical Attack, Krause Variation

See how you play this opening