Chess Opening Theory/1. e4/1...e5/2. Nf3/2...d6/3. d4/3...Nd7/4. Bc4/4...exd4/5. Nxd4

Philidor Defence
a b c d e f g h 8 8 7 7 6 6 5 5 4 4 3 3 2 2 1 1 a b c d e f g h
Position in Forsyth-Edwards Notation (FEN) r1bqkbnr/pppn1ppp/3p4/8/2BNP3/8/PPP2PPP/RNBQK2R b
Moves: 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 Nd7 4. Bc4 exd4 5. Nxd4

5.Nxd4

The position after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 Nd7 4. Bc4 exd4 5. Nxd4 is a complex one with various possibilities for both sides. This is the most common recapture and sets one more trap. Be7 is a blunder and should be substituted with Ngf6, when the minefield of traps has been safely crossed.

White primarily intends to castle (O-O), aiming to play Re1 or Nc3. This strategy is designed to counter Black's potential moves, such as Nb6, Ngf6, and Ne5. However, if Black plays Ngf6, creating a threat of Ne5, White is forced to castle, allowing Black to proceed with g6.

Square c6 is a point of contention. The white knight on d4 guards it, while the black pawn on b7 also guards the same square. The white bishop on b3 can capture the black pawn on f7, but the black king on e8 supports this pawn.

White utilizes both the c1-h6 and a2-g8 diagonals. Meanwhile, Black uses the d8-h4 and c8-h3 diagonals. The black bishop on f8 supports the pawn on g7 and protects the king by guarding g7. The black pawn on d6 guards the square e5, and the pawn on c7 protects the king by guarding c6.

White has several options for the bishop, including Bb3, Be2, and Bd3. White can also play c4. Black, on the other hand, can consider moves like Ne5, c6, and h6. The black pawn on b7 also protects the king by guarding c6.

The black knight on g8 can move to f6 to either capture the unsupported white pawn on e4 or guard the square d5. The white knight on d4 can move to f3 to guard the square e5. The black bishop on c8 can move to g4, threatening the white queen on d1.

Theory table

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 Nd7 4. Bc4 exd4 5. Nxd4

	5	6	7	8	9	10
Hanham Variation	... Be7?	Bxf7+! Kxf7	Ne6!				+-
Hanham, Lion Variation
	... Ngf6	Nc3 g6	O-O Bg7	a4 O-O	Re1		⩲
	... ...	... Nb6	Be2 Be7	O-O O-O	a4		⩲
	... ...	... ...	... ...	... ...	f4 c5	Nb3	⩲

Bibliography

• Kasparov, Garry, & Keene, Raymond 1989 Batsford chess openings 2. ISBN 0-8050-3409-9.

• Kaufman, Larry (2004). The Chess Advantage in Black and White. ISBN 0-8129-3571-3.
• Panov, Vasily (1973). Teoría de Aperturas, Tomo I: Aperturas Abiertas - Aperturas Semiabiertas. ISBN 84-270-0132-0.
• Schiller, Eric (2002). Standard Chess Openings. ISBN 1-58042-048-6.

External links

• Chargemax Entertainment (2022). Chess For Beginners: Anand & Topalov easily get an edge vs Philidor Hanham variation.
• 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.
• Hrishi Chavan (2022). Philidor Defence - Hanham Variation.
• Marsh, Sean (ChessAble) (2021). Chess Opening Basics: The Philidor Defense.
• Miodrag Perunovic (2019). Chess For Beginners: Anand & Topalov easily get an edge vs Philidor Hanham variation.
• Nicolas Skettos (2022). How To Beat The Philidor Defense - Hanham Variation - Black Lion - Chess Opening Traps.
• papachess.com (2024). papachess.com, Nimzowitsch's Unbeatable Weapon: Philidor Defense.
• papachess.com (2024). papachess.com, Philidor Defense: Nimzowitsch Variation, Rellstab Variation, move by move.
• Prem, Krishna (2012). Chess openings - Philidor Defence.
• Sean Lei (2020). My Precious "Philidor". Philidor and Lion Defence Chess.
• Solomon, Ruddell (TheChessGiant) (2021). Chess Openings: Learn to Play the Philidor Defense!.
• The Chess Website (2012). Philidor Defense - Chess Openings.