What are the moves of the Philidor Defense: Nimzowitsch Variation?

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 Nf6. After these moves it is white to move.

What variations come from the Philidor Defense: Nimzowitsch Variation?

Named continuations include Philidor Defense: Nimzowitsch Variation, Klein Variation, Philidor Defense: Nimzowitsch, Locock Variation, Philidor Defense: Lion Variation, Philidor Defense: Nimzowitsch Variation, Rellstab Variation, Philidor Defense: Nimzowitsch Variation, Sokolsky Variation. There are 10 named variations reachable from this position in total.

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Chess Openings

Philidor Defense: Nimzowitsch Variation

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 Nf6 · ECO C41

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Philidor Defense: Nimzowitsch Variation is a chess opening that arises after 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 Nf6. 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 another move order, including 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 Nf6 4.dxe5.

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.

This line is a variation within the Philidor Defense family. The strategic ideas above describe the family as a whole; this particular line reaches them by the move order 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 Nf6.

Variations continuing from this position

Each of these is a named opening reached by playing on from 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 Nf6. Open any of them to load the position on the board.

Frequently asked questions

What is the Philidor Defense: Nimzowitsch Variation?: The Philidor Defense: Nimzowitsch Variation is a chess opening that arises after 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 Nf6. 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: Nimzowitsch Variation?: 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 Nf6. After these moves it is white to move.
Is the Philidor Defense: Nimzowitsch Variation 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: Nimzowitsch Variation?: Named continuations include Philidor Defense: Nimzowitsch Variation, Klein Variation, Philidor Defense: Nimzowitsch, Locock Variation, Philidor Defense: Lion Variation, Philidor Defense: Nimzowitsch Variation, Rellstab Variation, Philidor Defense: Nimzowitsch Variation, Sokolsky Variation. There are 10 named variations reachable from this position in total.