Petrov's Defense: Classical Attack, Berger Variation
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Statistics from Lichess
3,192 games: White 43.2% / Draw 5.6% / Black 51.2%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 2,8542,854 | ||
| 225225 | ||
| 4343 | ||
| 2323 | ||
| 2222 | ||
| 1111 | ||
| 44 | ||
| 33 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Nov 1, 2026
Engine evaluation
0.00 The position is about equal
Best play: 10... O-O 11. Qb3 Na5 12. Qc2 Nc6
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
Petrov's Defense: Classical Attack, Berger Variation (ECO C42, Open Games) is a variation of Petrov's Defense: Classical Attack, Chigorin Variation, reached after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nxe5 d6 4. Nf3 Nxe4 5. d4 d5 6. Bd3 Be7 7. O-O Nc6 8. Re1 Bg4 9. c3 f5 10. Nbd2 (10 moves).
In 3,192 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 43.2%, Black 51.2% and 5.6% were drawn. Black's most played move here is 10…O-O, in 89% of those games.
Written from the Lichess opening list and explorer. Know this line well? Write about it.
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How to play against Petrov's Defense: Classical Attack, Berger Variation
The most played answer, 10…O-O, also scores best for Black: 54.7%, with Black winning 51.9% and White 42.5% of 2,854 games. Of the main answers, 10…Qd6 scores lowest: 52.0%. Stockfish's first choice is also 10…O-O.
Main answers: those played in at least 5% of these games. Score: Black's wins plus half the draws, in rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500. How to play against other popular openings
Cite this page
Caissa Codex. “Petrov's Defense: Classical Attack, Berger Variation (C42)”. Lichess data as of 1 Nov 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/petrovs-defense-classical-attack-berger-variation