Petroff: Judit Polgar vs Anatoly Karpov (Annotated Game)

Key Petroff Game for White

Main line: 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Nxe5 d6 4.Nf3 Nxe4 5.d4 d5 6.Bd3 Be7 7.O-O Nc6 8.c4 Nb4 9.Be2 O-O 10.a3 Nc6 11.cxd5 Qxd5 12.Nc3 Nxc3 13.bxc3 Qd6 14.Rb1 b6 15.Re1 Be6 16.Bd3 Rae8 17.Rb5 Na5 18.Rbe5 Nc6 19.R5e2 Bd7 20.d5 Na5 21.Ne5 Bf6 22.Bf4 Bxe5 23.Bxe5 Qxa3 24.Re3 Qc5 25.Bxh7+ Kxh7 26.Qh5+

Annotated Petroff Game Moves (from 1.e4 PGN)

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1.e4

White takes space in the centre and frees the queen and bishop. This is the starting point for many open games.

3.Nxe5

White accepts the Petroff challenge and grabs the e5-pawn, inviting Black to attack the knight.

5.d4

White strikes back in the centre, gaining space and opening lines for the bishops and queen.

8.c4

White pushes the c-pawn to open the position. This is strong because White is ahead in development.

11.cxd5

The centre opens. Black's queen is pulled to d5 where White can attack it later with tempo.

14.Rb1

White brings a rook to the b-file, making it hard for Black to develop the queenside pieces comfortably.

17.Rb5

The rook lift begins. From b5, the rook can slide over to the kingside later to help in the attack.

20.d5

White advances the d-pawn to break open lines. Black can't safely capture because of tactics against the king.

21.Ne5

The knight jumps to a powerful central square, eyeing f7 and g6 and supporting the coming attack.

25.Bxh7+

A classic bishop sacrifice on h7! White pulls the king out into the open, where checks will keep coming.

26.Qh5+

The queen joins the attack with check. Black is already lost because White can force checkmate in just a few more moves.