Chess Opening Theory/1. e4/1...e5/2. Nf3/2...d6/3. d4/3...exd4/4. Nxd4

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< Chess Opening Theory‎ | 1. e4‎ | 1...e5‎ | 2. Nf3‎ | 2...d6‎ | 3. d4‎ | 3...exd4
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Philidor Defence
a b c d e f g h
8 a8 b8 c8 d8 e8 f8 g8 h8 8
7 a7 b7 c7 d7 e7 f7 g7 h7 7
6 a6 b6 c6 d6 e6 f6 g6 h6 6
5 a5 b5 c5 d5 e5 f5 g5 h5 5
4 a4 b4 c4 d4 e4 f4 g4 h4 4
3 a3 b3 c3 d3 e3 f3 g3 h3 3
2 a2 b2 c2 d2 e2 f2 g2 h2 2
1 a1 b1 c1 d1 e1 f1 g1 h1 1
a b c d e f g h
Position in Forsyth-Edwards Notation (FEN)
Moves: 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 exd4 4. Nxd4

Philidor Defence: Exchange Variation 4. Nxd4[edit | edit source]

Overview[edit | edit source]

In the Exchange Variation of the Philidor Defense, Black opts to relieve the central tension immediately with 3...exd4. This move captures White's d4 pawn with Black's e5 pawn. In response, White has the option to recapture the pawn on d4. The most logical recapture is with the knight, 4. Nxd4, positioning the knight centrally.

After White recaptures with the knight, Black has a popular move, 4...Nf6, which targets White's e4 pawn. To defend this pawn, White often develops another piece, the queen's knight, to c3 with 5. Nc3.

An interesting alternative for Black after 4. Nxd4 is the move 4...c5. This puts immediate pressure on the centralized white knight. White would need to decide how to respond, either by relocating the attacked knight or creating a counter-threat elsewhere on the board.

The Exchange Variation with Nxd4 in the Philidor Defense leads to rich positional play. Black relieves central tension early on, but the resulting positions offer ample opportunities for both sides to create imbalances and fight for an advantage.

Theory table[edit | edit source]

For explanation of theory tables, see theory table and for notation, see algebraic notation..

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 exd4 4. Nxd4

4 5 6 7 8 9
Exchange Variation

4. Nxd4

Nxd4
Nf6
Nc3
Be7
Bc4
O-O
O-O
Nxe4!
Nxe4
d5!
Bd3
dxe4
=
...
....
...
...
Bf4
O-O
Be2
Nc6
O-O
Re8
=
...
....
...
...
...
...
...
...
Qd2
Nxd4
Qxd4 +/=
...
....
...
...
...
...
...
Re8
Qd2
Nc6
O-O-O +/=
...
....
...
...
...
...
Qd2!
d5
Ndb5
Bb4
O-O-O +/=
...
....
...
...
...
...
...
Nc6
O-O-O
Nxd4
Qxd4 +/=
...
....
...
...
Be2
O-O
Bf4
Re8
Qd2 +/=
...
....
...
...
...
...
O-O
Re8
f4 +/=
...
....
...
...
g3
d5
e5
Ng4
Bg2
Nxe5
Qe2 +/=
...
....
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
O-O
O-O +/=
...
....
...
...
...
O-O
Bg2
Re8
O-O
Bf8
h3 +/=
...
Nc6
=
...
c5
Nf3
Nc6
Nc3
Be7
Bf4!
Nf6
Qd2
Be6
Ng5! +/=

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References[edit | edit source]

Bibliography

External links[edit | edit source]

  • ChessBase (2023). Philidor Defence.
  • Chess Openings for Beginners (2009). Philidor Defense: General Information.
  • ChessPathways (2019). PHILIDOR DEFENSE.
  • ChessPathways (2019). The Philidor Defense.
  • Chess Simplified (2019). Philidor Defence.
  • HangingPawns (2019). Introduction to the Philidor Defense.
  • Marsh, Sean (ChessAble) (2021). Chess Opening Basics: The Philidor Defense.
  • Prem, Krishna (2012). Chess openings - Philidor Defence.
  • The Chess Website (2012). Philidor Defense - Chess Openings.
  • Solomon, Ruddell (TheChessGiant) (2021). Chess Openings: Learn to Play the Philidor Defense!.