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New to the Petroff (Petrov)

New to the Petroff (Petrov)

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I'm fooling around with it. I've never played it much before. Any suggestions on a good line vs. 3.Nc3? I don't want to get into a passive 4 Knights Game, but that's what I've been doing for lack of a better idea.

Thanks guys! Bryan

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Originally posted by ChessNut
I'm fooling around with it. I've never played it much before. Any suggestions on a good line vs. 3.Nc3? I don't want to get into a passive 4 Knights Game, but that's what I've been doing for lack of a better idea.

Thanks guys! Bryan
I play Petrov sometimes:

4 knights doesn't have to be passive for black (nor for white).

But if you want to avoid that, why not try 3....Bb4?
After 4.Nxe5, you can have an interesting game with 4....0-0 or 4...Qe7

and after 4.Bc4 you still have several options open, Bxc3 is one of them (besides the more tame 0-0 or d6).

Be aware that white also can choose for 3.d4! to avoid the classical 3.Nxe5. I have tried both 3....Nxe4 and 3... dxe4 (expect 4.e5 d5!).

This is not the bible, just some thoughts.
Gil.

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Thanks Gil!

You mentioned that the 4 knights opening doesn't have to be passive. Do you ever use that line? If so what do you recommend?

I appreciate your guidance! 😀

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Originally posted by ChessNut
I'm fooling around with it. I've never played it much before. Any suggestions on a good line vs. 3.Nc3? I don't want to get into a passive 4 Knights Game, but that's what I've been doing for lack of a better idea.

Thanks guys! Bryan
What are the opening moves of it? (Gosh, there are many openings I don't know...)

Olav

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Originally posted by ChessNut
Thanks Gil!

You mentioned that the 4 knights opening doesn't have to be passive. Do you ever use that line? If so what do you recommend?

I appreciate your guidance! 😀
Not easy to answer, since after 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Nc3 Nc6 (or reversed order), white is on the move with quite some options.

But didn't most of us learn to play chess with the 4-knights?

To answer your question: yes, I have played games like this. One example I remember/found back: game 74152 PeterSwan2 - Sintubin
(with greetings to Peter, I enjoyed our games together). Nothing passive about this game for black, don't you agree?

XXX

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Originally posted by LivingLegend
What are the opening moves of it? (Gosh, there are many openings I don't know...)

Olav
1.e4,e5 2.Nf3,Nf6 and then 3.Nxe5,d6 4.Nf3,Nxe4 is considered the main line,or,at least,used to be🙄
It was my sole defense for 8 years.But,actually only know some theory about the main line😳

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Originally posted by ChessNut
Thanks Gil!

You mentioned that the 4 knights opening doesn't have to be passive. Do you ever use that line? If so what do you recommend?

I appreciate your guidance! 😀
Search for games of Nigel Short.he has revived the 4-knights some years ago,came up with some fresh ideas.He played some exciting games with it at top level.Nothing dull about it!😵

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Thanks guys!

Oh and Gil, I'm afraid I didn't learn chess with the 4 Knights. I graduated immediately into the famous Queen raid opening and Rook Opening... you know 1.h4 2. Rh3 ... 😉

Actually I cut my teeth on the KIA because my strongest opponent played it against me all the time. Talk about tough learning!!! I do NOT recommend it for newbies. 😲

Bryan