The Kaufmann Attack is a variation of the Petrov's Defense, catalogued as ECO C42. The line runs 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nxe5 d6 4. Nf3 Nxe4 5. c4, reaching the position shown below after 9 half-moves.
The four central squares are empty of pawns, so the fight for them is being conducted by pieces. Development is level at one minor pieces each. It is Black to move after five moves. The e-file file is fully open.
On the Petrov's Defense generally: A symmetrical defense known for its solidity. Black mirrors White's moves in the opening.
You can play through this variation move by move in your browser — Learn mode walks the line with an explanation at each step, and Drill mode replays it from memory so you find out whether you actually know it. No account is required.
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The Kaufmann Attack goes 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nxe5 d6 4. Nf3 Nxe4 5. c4. It is a variation of the Petrov's Defense and is catalogued as ECO C42.
The Kaufmann Attack is ECO C42. ECO codes group openings by their move order, so nearby codes cover closely related lines of the Petrov's Defense.
Stockfish evaluates the position after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nxe5 d6 4. Nf3 Nxe4 5. c4 at +0.14 at depth 18, which is balanced. Engine evaluation is only a starting point — at club level the practical value of a line is mostly about whether you know its plans better than your opponent does.
The four central squares are empty of pawns, so the fight for them is being conducted by pieces. Development is level at one minor pieces each. It is Black to move. The e-file file is fully open.