I've never taken the Petroff defence seriously (1.e4 e5, 2.Nf3 Nf6). It seemed a novelty that i would encounter every blue moon. It also had a reputation as being drawish. However, my style the last few years has been to throw something at my opponent he doesn't quite fully understand and dictating how the opening proceeds. I know i didn't have a real clue as to what would happen when facing the Petroff. I also have a used copy of Winning With the Petroff by Anatoly Karpov. If Karpov has success with the Petroff and endorses it, it must be sound. You can almost be guarenteed an exciting open game while maintaining a solid position. If you're tired of the same old Ruy Lopez or Guioco Piano as Black, or prefer a more open position than what the Philidor defence offers (2.Nf3 d6) and prefer answering 1.e4 with 1...e5, then this is the book for you.