At a beginner level like myself (U1600), I rarely draw games because usually my opponent and I cannot play the middlegame or endgame too well, However, when I play Petroff's defence, it is amazing to me the number of draws produced. Anyone have any ideas why this opening is so drawish?
The Petroff is a bit of a tragedy, really. It isn't nearly so drawish as it looks. Both sides have plenty of options to spice things up a bit. However, most players who use it as black don't play it to win, but play it to draw. It is no surprise, therefore, that it usually ends in a draw. It is a bit like the French Exchange variation, I suppose. Players like Morphy and Kasparov played some very exciting games with the white pieces and proved that the exchange variation is anything but drawish, but because most people who play it as white aren't interested in exciting games, and just want an easy draw, it is labeled as drawish.
At a beginner level like myself (U1600), I rarely draw games because usually my opponent and I cannot play the middlegame or endgame too well, However, when I play Petroff's defence, it is amazing to me the number of draws produced. Anyone have any ideas why this opening is so drawish?