Beginner
9 min
Playing against the Petroff
Protect your pawn with the other knight, develop your bishops and castle quickly.
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Why take this lesson?
In the Petroff Defence, Black’s knight attacks your central pawn instead of immediately defending its own. This lesson gives you practical landmarks for responding as White, developing your pieces and finding a clear plan.
What you will learn
- The black knight counterattacks
- All four knights are developed
- Remember the plan
From understanding to practice
Work through the lesson step by step: discover an idea, study the positions and check your understanding with the lesson’s exercises. Explanations and feedback help you understand the decisions, not just memorise moves.