Petrov's Defense: Cochrane Gambit, Center Variation
Petrov's Defense: Cochrane Gambit, Center Variation is a chess opening with the ECO code C42, part of the Petrov's Defense family. It goes 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nxe5 d6 4. Nxf7 Kxf7 5. d4. White opens with 1. e4 (the king's pawn) and Black answers 1... e5. After 9 moves it is Black to move. After the last move Black is a pawn ahead in material. The lesson on the board explains every move of the line and lets you play it yourself; it is free.
The moves
1. e4 – White plays the pawn to e4
1... e5 – Black plays the pawn to e5
2. Nf3 – White plays the knight to f3
2... Nf6 – Black plays the knight to f6
3. Nxe5 – White takes on e5 with the knight
3... d6 – Black plays the pawn to d6
4. Nxf7 – White takes on f7 with the knight
4... Kxf7 – Black takes on f7 with the king
5. d4 – White plays the pawn to d4
In chessGM's opening book this position continues with 5... Be6.
About the Petrov's Defense
After 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3, Black counterattacks e4 with 2...Nf6 instead of defending e5. It is symmetrical and very solid.
After 3.Nxe5, do not copy with 3...Nxe4?; first play 3...d6, then take.
The trap: 3...Nxe4? 4.Qe2 and the pin on the e-file wins material.
Black aims for quick development and a safe, equal position.
chessGM