Why not on the Petroff?

The Petroff obviously has many various aspects, but one valid argument is that it can be very beneficial for black to secure at least a draw.  With that said, why not play this as black if we want to secure a draw?

(Qe7)

its only drawish at gmlevel. try to secure a draw with petroff against someone and you see what i mean:)

Ohh I don't intend to do that, I would probably never try for a draw from the beginning of the game at my level.  The question remains though, whites options seem pretty limited.

The Petroff is a good way to keep white from being able to play the Italian, Scotch, or Ruy Lopez, which he'll frequently know better than the Petroff at the amateur level. There are still options for white, but it is a solid opening that cuts down on the opening preparation necessary for black. If you like it, play it.

Did you even read the first post?

I never said anything about wanting to play it, or the good/bad aspects of the petroff, I just asked why not play Qe7

GAH! What?  Haha...

I am just asking, "Why not play Qe7?"

I don't EVER play the petroff.  I rarely see it.  I just want some one to show me how white refutes Qe7.

I think 3... Qe7?! is only questionable, not an outright mistake that can be refuted. The problem with Qe7 is that it hampers blacks natural development by blocking the f8-bishop. And if you take on e4 with the Queen then you have to soon spend more tempi moving it again, as it can't stay on the open e-line for long.

Here is a possible variation.

I actually had an opponent play 3. ... Qe7 on me in a recent tournament game. It was my shortest tournament win ever.

It's inferior, playing for an obvious trap, and leaving black in a slightly awkward position when white avoids the trap. Here's the game, with my commentary.

It's really no rocket science, the White gets an advantage in development, the Black Queen is not well placed on e7, and the White Rook on the e file will be sure to be a bother, as in the above game. No it doesn't lose by force but good it isn't.

Thanks for your responses, what if black plays this:

Yup, when black's rated over 2400, he can play well. As we've all said, it's a slightly awkward move, but playable. I did say I thought black would have been better off playing Nc6 and O-O-O in my game, just as Adela did in that game. I'd say that the opposite sides castling is a good way to make the Petroff un-drawish, too.

Yes, I agree, and that's all I was looking for really.  When black is rated over 2400 I understand that makes a difference but lets not forget white was rated just barely below him.  I just wondered if anyone knew any more about the opening move is all, in 3 of the 5 master games in that position (where black plays Qxe4+) white plays Qe2, ALL THREE DRAWS.

If Qxe4 +, I think Be3 might be better.

I agree, but while I didn't investigate the three draws, I assume they were all master level players.  This is what made me wonder.

so does blacks:)

Since it's a correspondence game, and I'm assuming you can use books and databases, then why not go for the Cochrane Gambit? With enough time to study and find the right moves, it's certainly playable, and you'd learn a ton about how to play it for future reference. The fact that it's been used at the Super-GM level recently says that it's definitely sound enough for us mere mortals.

The funny part is that I was making it up as I went, and I played exactly those moves in my game (post #9 above). Everything after my 3rd move was improvised. Just goes to show what easy moves those are to find.

How about this Variation fellas? (And also female fellas)  

27. Rb1 is checkmate ... why the drawn out endgame?