Petrov defense?

Hello, fellow chess forumists (would that be the word??? Idk.) I have recently seen tons of petrov defence players,  Including one of my freinds recently switching from caro to petrov. I am just wondering, what is the big deal?

I just dont understand why this is so amazing. Not saying its "bad", no, I actually really like this for both sides, and this would be amazing for taking opponents out of theory without doing anything bad, bad I just don't understand the HUGE surge in popularity. Is it Fabiano who is causing this? Did someone recently release a popular course? Did Gotham make a video about it? Did Eric Rosen add more people to the cult of stafford gambit players?

Dang quick reply

fastest fax spitting brigade

the Petrov is one of the few e4 defenses that directly attacks the e4 pawn. so in that sense it is "aggressive". And although there are tactics to engage in, the symmetrical pawn structure leads to drawish types of positions. Particularly, if white understands the idea of even piece trades. but as the old saying goes " In between the opening and the end game, the gods have placed the middle game!"

So its played because its just plain super solid and semi symmetrical? (In the mainlines, anyways)

that is a fair statement in a general sense.

it does avoid a bunch of theory as you mentioned. no Spanish game, no Italian game, no Scotch proper, or Ponzioni, etc. but the Petrov player will still face the Kings Gambit, the Bishops Opening, and the 3 or 4 knights game, or the Urasov gambit either directly or by transposition.

the petrov is very drawish and is played for a quick draw (at grandmaster level) but the position is very much a draw

one thing worth noting is that they cant take back the pawn immediately, or else they would lose. also you have the steinz petrov, it is also another way to get out of main line kings knight

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6

one other idea is the move order 1.e4,e5 2.Nf3, d6 or 1.e4,d6 which is the Phillidor defense. the classical move order has it's own idiosyncrasies as far as transposition goes but we can leave all that for a different forum topic since it is not the Petrov.

First of all, it’s forum-goers I believe, Jan’s second of all, the Petrov is one of those seasonal openings that just occasionally has an uprising for a bit before fading back to obscurity. It’s a fantastic stepping stone from Caro-Kann to Open Game, but it’s just that, a stepping stone. I sincerely doubt your friend will stick with it for more than a few months before switching to either the normal 2… Nc6 Open Game or going back to the Caro-Kann.

I never know what to play against the Petrov's defense lol. I usually just stick with the Steinitz Attack variation

Offbeat, I like it a lot.

Offbeat?

These are all just my opinions, but...

I don't think the defense is offbeat.. The Petroff was extremely popular at the turn of the 1900s, Lasker and his field of competitors played it.

The thing one should consider.... The Draw'ish nature the defense has gotten applies to what side? and to whom?

IMO... It applies to White, and it applies to extremely high level players. At the club it does not. I've learned playing the Orthodox var of the QGD that is known for it's draw'ish reputation, often translates to White has to play extremely exact, and sharp to get any advantage and one inaccuracy, it's gone.. and because the resulting position are so evenly balanced, if White over presses (as often they do at the club level in tournaments) it is Black that wins the day.

I'm of the opinion the Petroff is similar

The Petroff is not offbeat. Just because you face 2...Nc6 more often than 2...Nf6 does not make 2...Nf6 offbeat. If that were the case, 1...e5 is offbeat because the Sicilian is more popular.

If you really want to know what offbeat is, the Sokolsky is offbeat. The Albin Counter-gambit is offbeat. The elephant gambit is offbeat.