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Petrov's Defense

C42For BlackSolid

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6

A line for Black. Every figure below is computed separately for each rating band, and every one carries its own sample size.

Win rate, Black
40.7%44.4%46.3%46.1%
Band 600, n = 142,567Band 1000, n = 301,435Band 1400, n = 182,358Band 1800, n = 270,039
Blunder rate
56.1%52.7%49.4%43.2%
Band median 44.6%Band median 42.9%Band median 40.0%Band median 36.4%
Tier
DCCC
Black, band 600Black, band 1000Black, band 1400Black, band 1800
Share of games
3.3%2.1%1.7%1.3%
Of band 600 gamesOf band 1000 gamesOf band 1400 gamesOf band 1800 games
Every band, source period 2026-05
BandWhiteDrawBlackBlunderBook exitGamesTier
60054.5%4.8%40.7%56.1%ply 4.0142,567D
100052.1%3.4%44.4%52.7%ply 4.0301,435C
140050.1%3.6%46.3%49.4%ply 4.0182,358C
180049.5%4.4%46.1%43.2%ply 4.0270,039C

Results by band

What it actually does, band by band.

All four bands are on the page. The one matching your rating is marked. Nothing here is averaged across bands.

600Your bandD at 600Blunder rate 56.1%, band median 44.6%

At 600, the Petrov's Defense scores 40.7% for Black across 142,567 games. Most openings score better than this at this level. Games in this line leave known theory around move 2 on average, and 56.1% include an early material blunder (41 games at 600).

1000Your bandC at 1000Blunder rate 52.7%, band median 42.9%

At 1000, the Petrov's Defense scores 44.4% for Black across 301,435 games. That is below average at this level. Games in this line leave known theory around move 2 on average, and 52.7% include an early material blunder (112 games at 1000).

1400Your bandC at 1400Blunder rate 49.4%, band median 40.0%

At 1400, the Petrov's Defense scores 46.3% for Black across 182,358 games. That is below average at this level. Games in this line leave known theory around move 2 on average, and 49.4% include an early material blunder (83 games at 1400).

1800Your bandC at 1800Blunder rate 43.2%, band median 36.4%

At 1800, the Petrov's Defense scores 46.1% for Black across 270,039 games. That is below average at this level. Games in this line leave known theory around move 2 on average, and 43.2% include an early material blunder (88 games at 1800).

Variations

Where the line goes next.

The lines that continue the Petrov's Defense, most played first at your band. Switch the band in the header and both the figures and the order follow.

  • ABCCC42

    Petrov's Defense: Three Knights Game

    1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nc3

    1.7% of games at 600, n = 72,9841.1% of games at 1000, n = 154,1880.8% of games at 1400, n = 88,7600.6% of games at 1800, n = 124,511

  • CCDCC42

    Petrov's Defense: Italian Variation

    1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Bc4

    1.1% of games at 600, n = 48,2210.7% of games at 1000, n = 104,4200.5% of games at 1400, n = 57,7490.3% of games at 1800, n = 72,970

  • DDDCC42

    Petrov's Defense

    1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nxe5

    1.0% of games at 600, n = 40,7430.6% of games at 1000, n = 86,6070.5% of games at 1400, n = 52,1950.4% of games at 1800, n = 82,952

Questions

Common questions about this page.

At 600, the Petrov's Defense scores 40.7% for Black across 142,567 games. Most openings score better than this at this level. Games in this line leave known theory around move 2 on average, and 56.1% include an early material blunder (41 games at 600).

At 1000, the Petrov's Defense scores 44.4% for Black across 301,435 games. That is below average at this level. Games in this line leave known theory around move 2 on average, and 52.7% include an early material blunder (112 games at 1000).

The Petrov's Defense (C42) is a line for Black. The main line runs 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6.