5.Qe2: the early queen trade is variation 3 of 6 in the Petroff Defence course, a intermediate opening course for Black (ECO C42). It runs 20 moves and begins 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nxe5 d6 4. Nf3 Nxe4 …. White pins the e4 knight with 5.Qe2. Black must answer 5...Qe7, and the queens soon come off. The game is quiet and equal. Black just needs to know the one forced move. In the lesson every move is explained on a board and then drilled; it is free.
Move by move
1. e4 – White takes the centre.
1... e5 – Black claims an equal share.
2. Nf3 – White develops and attacks e5.
2... Nf6 – The Petroff: Black attacks e4 in return.
3. Nxe5 – White takes the pawn.
3... d6 – Black kicks the knight first.
4. Nf3 – The knight goes back.
4... Nxe4 – Black wins the pawn back.
5. Qe2 – The queen attacks the e4 knight. The knight is pinned: if it moves away, Black's king is in check.
5... Qe7 – The only good move. Black's queen defends the knight and blocks the e-file.
6. d3 – White attacks the knight with a pawn. It has to go back.
6... Nf6 – The knight retreats. Black's queen still guards the e-file, so there is no danger.
7. Bg5 – White develops and pins the f6 knight to the queen.
7... Qxe2+ – Black trades queens. Without queens there is little danger for either king.
8. Bxe2 – White takes back with the bishop and develops it at the same time.
8... Be7 – Black develops and breaks the pin on the f6 knight.
The lesson goes on for 4 more moves, each with its explanation.
chessGM