Petrov's Defense: Damiano Variation

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Nxe5 Nxe4

ECO C42

The Petrov's Defense: Damiano Variation is a chess opening line in the Petrov's Defense complex, reached after 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Nxe5 Nxe4.

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

The defining move Nxe4 is chosen by Black on move 3.

One named continuation branches from this position: the Kholmov Gambit.

Named variations

• Petrov's Defense: Damiano Variation, Kholmov Gambit — ECO C42

Study this line with a grandmaster

This position is covered in the Beat the Petroff 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.