Petrov's Defense: Modern Attack

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.d4

ECO C43

The Petrov's Defense: Modern Attack is a chess opening line in the Petrov's Defense complex, reached after 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.d4.

It is catalogued under code C43 in the Encyclopaedia of Chess Openings (ECO).

The defining move d4 is chosen by White on move 3.

8 named continuations branch from this position, including the Bardeleben Variation and the Center Attack.

Named variations

• Petrov's Defense: Modern Attack, Bardeleben Variation — ECO C43
• Petrov's Defense: Modern Attack, Center Attack — ECO C43
• Petrov's Defense: Modern Attack, Center Variation — ECO C43
• Petrov's Defense: Modern Attack, Murrey Variation — ECO C43
• Petrov's Defense: Modern Attack, Steinitz Variation — ECO C43
• Petrov's Defense: Modern Attack, Symmetrical Variation — ECO C43
• Petrov's Defense: Modern Attack, Tal Gambit — ECO C43
• Petrov's Defense: Modern Attack, Trifunovic Variation — ECO C43

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.