Petrov's Defense: Cochrane Gambit

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Nxe5 d6 4.Nxf7

ECO C42

The Petrov's Defense: Cochrane Gambit is a chess opening line in the Petrov's Defense complex, reached after 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Nxe5 d6 4.Nxf7.

It is catalogued under code C42 in the Encyclopaedia of Chess Openings (ECO).

The defining move Nxf7 is chosen by White on move 4.

2 named continuations branch from this position, including the Bishop Check Line and the Center Variation.

Named variations

• Petrov's Defense: Cochrane Gambit, Bishop Check Line — ECO C42
• Petrov's Defense: Cochrane Gambit, Center Variation — ECO C42

Study this line with a grandmaster

This position is covered in the Petroff Defense course: a GM-authored repertoire you study move by move, then practice against a human-like AI opponent.

Every chess term used here is defined in the chess terms glossary. Browse all opening courses or the full ECO code index.