Chess Openings: Philidor Defense

Category – Open Game Opening Move Sequence – 1 e4 e5, 2 Nf3 d6 ECO Codes – C41 Eighteenth century chess player François-André Danican Philidor advocated this opening in contrast to 2 … Nc6. Currently it is not a popular opening and is perceived as a cramping and inert defensive opening for Black. No major player is known to employ it in tournament with any regularity. However the number of tournament games played under this opening has increased somewhat in recent years. Philidor Defense falls under the category of Open Game openings that begin with 1 e4 e5. Its ECO code is C41.

Moves and Variations 1 e4 e5 2 Nf3d6 3 d4 At this point White can and usually will play 3 d4, to maintain and bolster his claim to the center. In reply Black has several choices. If Black plays 3 … exd4, simplifying the situation in center and preventing White’s ability to weaken the Blacks K-side. Game may proceed; 4 Nxd4 Nf6, 5 Nc3 followed by 5 … Be7 or 5 … 0-0. Black gains the strong but cramped defensive position. Some times Black playing this variation will fianchetto the Bishop to g7. Instead of 3 … exd4, Black can aim to complete the moves Nbd7, Be7, and c6, keeping the confrontation in the center intact. The variations that come under this can be termed Hanham Variation. Play may proceed; 3... Nf6, 4 Nc3 Nbd7, 5 Bc4 Be7, 6 O-O (6 Ng5 was will lead to O-O, 7 Bxf7+ Rxf7, 8 Ne6 Qe8, 9.Nxc7 Qd8, 10.Nxa8, Black has the initiative. White is ahead on material. Black might try the attack 10 ... b5 11 Nxb5 Qa5+) O-O, 7 a4 (which blocks Black’s b5) c6. There has been some experimental play to reach Hanham variation from other openings. After 3 ... Nf6, White can hold on to some gains by 4 dxe5! Nxe4, 5 Qd5! Nc5, 6 Bg5. After 3 ... Nd7 (with the aim 4 Nc3 Ngf6), White will play 4 Bc4! Creating problems for Black. If 4 ... Nf6?, Black will lose a pawn after 5 Ng5. If 4 ... Be7? 5 dxe5 Nxe5, (5 ... dxe5?? 6 Qd5! will lead to Black defeat) 6 Nxe5 dxe5, 7 Qh5! The move 4...c6 is best the nest in this situation, but even that leaves White with gain two Bishops after 5 0-0 Be7, 6 dxe5 dxe5, (6 ... Nxe5, 7 Nxe5 dxe5, 8 Qh5! Will gain a pawn) 7 Ng5! Bxg5, 8 Qh5! Qe7, 9 Qxg5 (or 9 Bxg5) Philidor recommended the combative 3 … f5?!. This variation while opening the game is not considered sound by modern analysts.

The move 3 ... Bg4? is not recommended. After 4.dxe5 Bxf3 5.Qxf3 dxe5 6.Bc4 Black will have to give up the Bishop for a Knight and loss of tempo. In case of, 4 ... Nd7?!, 4 dxe5 Bxf3, 5 Qxf3 dxe5, 6.Bc4 Black will have to sacrifice a pawn. If Black plays 6 ... Nf6 her White can gain a pawn by 7 Qb3 or after declling the pawn gain a strong attack after 7 ...Qe7, 8 Nc3. 3 Bc4 In this variation White will not play d4 straight away or do without is completely by playing d3

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