Petrov's Defense: French Attack: Plans and Traps

Key ideas for both sides

White

After 5...Nf6, play d4, Bd3 and O-O. White spends an extra tempo but gets a calm, flexible setup.
If Black grabs with ...Nxf2, answer Qe2+ and pick the knight up on f2 after the check is blocked.
Against ...Nc5, push d4 to chase the knight again and follow with c4 and Nc3 for space.
Answer an early ...c5 with c3, keeping a pawn on d4 supported.

Black

Retreat with 5...Nf6. It is the simplest move and leads to equal, symmetrical development.
Develop with ...Be7 and ...O-O, then strike with ...c5 to question White's d4 pawn.
Avoid ...Nxf2: after Qe2+ and Qxf2 Black has given a knight for a pawn.
The knight retreat to c5 is playable but passive, since d4 forces it back again.

Plans and pawn structure

After 5...Nf6 6.d4 Be7 7.Bd3 O-O 8.O-O, the position resembles a Classical Attack where Black's knight sits on f6 instead of e4. White plans c3, Re1 and Nbd2, keeping a small space edge. Black's freeing break is ...c5, sometimes followed by ...Nc6 and ...Bg4 to pressure d4. With no weaknesses on either side, the game is about slow maneuvering and the fight for the e-file.

What the engine plays from here

Stockfish 17.1 at depth 20 rates the position +0.20: level. Its three top choices for Black:

+0.20 5...Nf6 6.d4 Be7 7.Bd3 O-O 8.O-O
+0.92 5...Nc5 6.d4 Ncd7 7.c4 Be7 8.Nc3
+4.05 5...Nxf2 6.Qe2+ Be7 7.Qxf2 Nc6 8.Nc3

Pawns, from White's side.

How it scores on lichess

453 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 48.6%.

under 120043.6%

1200–159944.4%

1600–199949.5%

2000 and up54.5%

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

How to play against it

As Black, play 5...Nf6, then ...Be7 and ...O-O. Do not take on f2: the queen check on e2 wins the knight. Once castled, break with ...c5 and develop the c8 bishop to g4 to put pressure on d4.

Questions

What are the moves of the Petrov's Defense: French Attack?

The Petrov's Defense: French Attack starts 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Nxe5 d6 4.Nf3 Nxe4 5.d3. Its ECO code is C42.

Is the Petrov's Defense: French Attack good for White?

Stockfish 17.1 rates the position +0.20 at depth 20, which is level. In 453 lichess games from our sample, White scored 48.6%. A safe, modest choice for White players who want to avoid theory, while Black only needs to retreat to f6 and avoid the f2 grab.

What is the main idea of the Petrov's Defense: French Attack?

White kicks the e4 knight with d3 and settles for a calm position. After 5...Nf6 6.d4 Be7 both sides castle and Black frees the game with ...c5, with level, quiet play.

What should Black play next?

The engine's first choice is Nf6, with Nc5 and Nxf2 close behind. 5...Nf6 retreats to a safe square and keeps Black's development simple.

Updated October 2026. Sources and method.

Petrov's Defense: French Attack