Petroff

I recently finished Game 5373548, which was one of my only games against the Petroff.

I have heard that the Petroff was drawish, and it seemed that way to me.

After the queens were exchanged, I just couldn't think of any plan - the game seemed like a dead draw from there. I did end up finding a sort of trap, and my opponent ended up falling for it. However, what do you think would be a good plan?

Any feedback on the opening or the rest of the game would be appreciated.

Originally posted by clandarkfire
I recently finished Game 5373548, which was one of my only games against the Petroff.

I have heard that the Petroff was drawish, and it seemed that way to me.

After the queens were exchanged, I just couldn't think of any plan - the game seemed like a dead draw from there. I did end up finding a sort of trap, and my opponent ended up fallin ...[text shortened]... ld be a good plan?

Any feedback on the opening or the rest of the game would be appreciated.

Originally posted by Jie
I'm struggling to understand what was happening. It looked like you were each offering each other pieces. Perhaps I need to rub my eyes and look at the game again.

Originally posted by clandarkfire
I recently finished Game 5373548, which was one of my only games against the Petroff.

I have heard that the Petroff was drawish, and it seemed that way to me.

After the queens were exchanged, I just couldn't think of any plan - the game seemed like a dead draw from there. I did end up finding a sort of trap, and my opponent ended up fallin ...[text shortened]... ld be a good plan?

Any feedback on the opening or the rest of the game would be appreciated.

Petroff = 😴

Originally posted by Jie
I'm struggling to understand what was happening. It looked like you were each offering each other pieces. Perhaps I need to rub my eyes and look at the game again.

At ELO 2400+ level, many lines in the Petroff Defense (1 e4 e5 2 Nf3 Nf6) are indeed drawish. At levels lower on the food chain though, I suspect that the Petroff Defense gives Black as many winning chances as any other mainline defense with the exception of the Sicilian Defense.

Even in the so-called "Draw Variation" (1 e4 e5 2 Nf3 Nf6 3 Ne5 d6 4 Nf3 Ne4 5 Qe2 Qe7 6 d3 Nf6 7 Bg5, I think that Black can maintain reasonable winning chances with either Tarrasch's 7...Nc6 or with Marshall's 7...Be6. MCO-15 gives only 7...Qe2, which is indeed probably rather drawish.

yeah, theres no such thing as a "drawish" opening at lower levels. too many tactical shots that go over our heads. unless theres a repeat check i think its always a alive.

but boring? yes 😉

Originally posted by irontigran
yeah, theres no such thing as a "drawish" opening at lower levels. too many tactical shots that go over our heads. unless theres a repeat check i think its always a alive.

but boring? yes 😉

Originally posted by Nowakowski
perhaps i should have read this thread before playing through my openings...

i'd absolutely have used the petroff to put [b]YOU asleep!

🙂[/b]