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    Chess Openings

    Philidor Defense

    1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 d6 · ECO C41

    Philidor Defense position after 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 d6. White: pawn on e4, knight on f3, pawn on a2, pawn on b2, pawn on c2, pawn on d2, pawn on f2, pawn on g2, pawn on h2, rook on a1, knight on b1, bishop on c1, queen on d1, king on e1, bishop on f1, rook on h1. Black: rook on a8, knight on b8, bishop on c8, queen on d8, king on e8, bishop on f8, knight on g8, rook on h8, pawn on a7, pawn on b7, pawn on c7, pawn on f7, pawn on g7, pawn on h7, pawn on d6, pawn on e5.

    Philidor Defense is a chess opening that arises after 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 d6. It is classified C41 in the ECO system, and the position after these moves has white to move. The Philidor Defense supports the e5 pawn with d6, giving Black a very solid but cramped position. Named after François-André Danican Philidor, the eighteenth-century player who argued that pawns are the soul of chess.

    This position can also be reached by 3 other move orders, including 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 d6 3.Bc4.

    Strategic character

    Solid and passive. Black has few weaknesses but little space, and freeing moves must be timed carefully. The modern treatment reaches it via the Hanham setup with Nd7 and c6 rather than by the direct move order.

    Who should play it

    Players who prefer defending sound positions over seeking early complications, and who want minimal theory against 1.e4 e5 lines.

    Variations continuing from this position

    Each of these is a named opening reached by playing on from 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 d6. Open any of them to load the position on the board.

    Frequently asked questions

    What is the Philidor Defense?
    The Philidor Defense is a chess opening that arises after 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 d6. It is classified C41 in the ECO system. The Philidor Defense supports the e5 pawn with d6, giving Black a very solid but cramped position. Named after François-André Danican Philidor, the eighteenth-century player who argued that pawns are the soul of chess.
    What are the moves of the Philidor Defense?
    1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 d6. After these moves it is white to move.
    Is the Philidor Defense good for beginners?
    Players who prefer defending sound positions over seeking early complications, and who want minimal theory against 1.e4 e5 lines.
    What variations come from the Philidor Defense?
    Named continuations include Philidor Defense: Exchange Variation, Philidor Defense: Hanham Variation, Philidor Defense: Lopez Countergambit, Philidor Defense: Nimzowitsch Variation, Philidor Defense: Philidor Countergambit. There are 35 named variations reachable from this position in total.

    Study this opening