Beat the Petroff Defense GM Brandon Jacobson + PGN January 19, 2026

Course Structure

The repertoire unfolds across ten chapters, each targeting a specific branch of Black’s defensive options:

After 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.d4

• Chapter 1: Rare Third Move Alternatives (3…d5 and sidelines)
• Chapter 2: The Direct Exchange (3…exd4)
• Chapter 3: The Ambitious Bishop (3…Nxe4 4.dxe5 Bc5 5.Bc4)
• Chapter 4: Dynamic Alternative (3…Nxe4 4.dxe5 Bc5 5.Qd5)

After 3…Nxe4 4.dxe5 d5 5.Nbd2

• Chapter 5: Rare Fifth Move Options
• Chapter 6: The Central Challenge (5…Nc5)
• Chapter 7: Direct Center Play (5…Nxd2 6.Bxd2 c5)
• Chapter 8: Development First (5…Nxd2 6.Bxd2 Be7)
• Chapter 9: Endgame Approach (5…Be7)
• Chapter 10: Main Line Positional Battles (5…Qd7)