Chess Openings Lab
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King's Gambit Declined: Petrov's Defense

The Petrov's Defense against the King's Gambit is 2...Nf6, where Black develops and counterattacks e4 instead of taking on f4. White can take with 3.fxe5 Nxe4 or defend quietly with d3 or Nc3, and Black aims for fast piece play and checks on h4.

Moves
1.e4 e5 2.f4 Nf6
ECO
C30
Engine
+0.18 · level (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
Played
849 games in our lichess sample
White scores
51.4%

Key ideas for both sides

White

  • 3.fxe5 is the engine's choice; after ...Nxe4, Nf3 and d4 build a center.
  • Be ready for ...Ng5 and ...Nxf3+, then recapture with the queen and accept ...Qh4+.
  • 3.d3 is a quieter path: after ...exf4, Bxf4 wins the pawn back at once.
  • Develop the light bishop to e2 or d3 before your king feels the open f-file.

Black

  • Answer 3.fxe5 with ...Nxe4, and the empty e1-h4 diagonal becomes a target.
  • Use ...Ng5 to trade off White's f3 knight and open the king.
  • Against 3.Nc3, strike with ...d5 to fight for the center at once.
  • Check on h4 when White's king has no pawn on g3 to block.

Plans and pawn structure

After 3.fxe5 Nxe4, the center is open and Black's knight is active. White plays Nf3 and d4 to build a pawn center, while Black trades knights with ...Ng5 and ...Nxf3+, then checks with ...Qh4+. The game turns on whether White's king can find shelter. In the 3.d3 line, White recovers the pawn and the position is calm, with both sides developing normally.

What the engine plays from here

Stockfish 17.1 at depth 20 rates the position +0.18: level. Its three top choices for White:

  1. +0.18 3.fxe5 Nxe4 4.Nf3 Ng5 5.d4 Nxf3+
  2. +0.06 3.d3 exf4 4.Bxf4 Nc6 5.Be2 Bc5
  3. −0.29 3.Nc3 d5 4.fxe5 Nxe4 5.Nf3 Bc5

Pawns, from White's side.

How it scores on lichess

849 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 51.4%.

under 120048.5%
1200–159955.1%
1600–199949.5%
2000 and up53.3%

Light: White wins. Grey: draws. Dark: Black wins. About the sample.

How to play against it

As White, play 3.fxe5 or 3.d3 and be ready for checks on h4. Do not leave e4 unprotected without a plan. Castle quickly once the knight from g1 is developed, or use g3 to shut the h4-e1 diagonal for good.

Questions

What are the moves of the King's Gambit Declined: Petrov's Defense?

The King's Gambit Declined: Petrov's Defense starts 1.e4 e5 2.f4 Nf6. Its ECO code is C30.

Is the King's Gambit Declined: Petrov's Defense good for Black?

Stockfish 17.1 rates the position +0.18 at depth 20, which is level. In 849 lichess games from our sample, White scored 51.4%. A practical, sound choice for Black players who want to avoid heavy gambit theory; the game stays balanced.

What is the main idea of the King's Gambit Declined: Petrov's Defense?

Black declines the pawn and develops ...Nf6 with pressure on e4. White takes on e5 or defends quietly, and Black aims for quick piece play and checks on h4.

What should White play next?

The engine's first choice is fxe5, with d3 and Nc3 close behind. 3.fxe5 takes the pawn; after ...Nxe4, White develops Nf3 and plays d4 for a central edge.

Updated October 2026. Sources and method.