Chess Opening Theory/1. e4/1...e5/2. Nf3/2...d6/3. Bc4

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) rnbqkbnr/ppp2ppp/3p4/4p3/2B1P3/5N2/PPPP1PPP/RNBQK2R b
Moves: 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d6 3. Bc4

Philidor Defence

3. Bc4

After 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d6 3. Bc4, White's main plan is to control the center with pawn breaks and piece activity, while Black's main plan is to solidify the pawn structure and develop pieces to challenge White's control of the center. Both sides should be aware of potential tactical ideas based on the position of the pieces and pawns.

White has a slight advantage due to the control of key squares and the potential for pawn breaks. White's main plan is to control the d4 square with the knight on g1 potentially moving to f3, the queen on d1, and the pawn on d2 ready to advance to d4. The bishop on c4 also exerts pressure on the e6 and d5 squares. White can also consider the tactical idea of capturing the pawn on f7 with the bishop.

Black's main plan is to support the pawn on e5 with the pawn on d6, control the d4 square with the pawn on e5, and prepare to develop the knight to f6. Black should also be aware of White's potential threat of Ng5. The black queen on d8 can move to e7 to support the pawn on f7 and use the d8-h4 diagonal. Blacks can also consider playing d5 to challenge Whites' control of the center.

The Philidor Defence Lopez Counter-Gambit

The Philidor Defence Lopez Counter-Gambit is an uncommon move that comes after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d6 3. Bc4 f5?!, both sides should be aware of potential moves based on the placement of the pieces and pawns.

White's main goal after 3...f5?! is to threaten the pawn on e5 and get ready to build pieces that will control important squares. 4. d4 is a common move because it threatens to capture the pawn on e5, allows the queen to move to d2, and frees up the d2 square so the knight on b1 can move to c3. White could play Ng5 to attack the pawn on f7 as white. The queen on d1 can attack the pawn on e5 from the direction d1–h5. The bishop on c4 puts pressure on the square e6. White can also shift key squares with the a2-g8 and c1-h6 diagonals.

Black's main goal is to protect the pawn on e5 and build up pieces that will make it harder for White to control the middle. Additionally, Black assists the pawn on e5 and takes control of the d5 square with the knight on g8. It can move to f6 or e7. Black should also be aware that white could pose a threat to Ng5. Black can also check White's center control with the d8-h4 line.

Theory table

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

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d6 3. Bc4

	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10
Lopez Countergambit (typically transposes to the Philidor Counter-Gambit)	... f5?!	d4! exd4?	O-O Nc6	Re1 fxe4	Nxd4				+/−
	... ...	... Nc6	Ng5 Nh6	d5 f4	h4 Nb8	g3			± +/−
	... ...	... ...	... ...	... Ne7	Nc3				±
	... Be6?!	Bxe6 fxe6	d4 exd4	Nxd4 Qd7?!	Qh5+ g6	Qh3 e5	Ne6 Nc6		⩲
	... ...	... ...	... ...	... Nf6	Bg5 e5	Nf5 g6	Ne3		⩲
	... ...	... ...	c3!? Nf6	Qb3! Qc8	O-O				⩲/±
	... Bg4	Nc3 c6	d4 Nd7	d5 g6	h3 Bxf3	Qxf3 Bg7			⩲
	... c6	Nc3 b5?!	Nxb5 d5	Bb3 dxe4	Nxe5				⩲
	... ...	... ...	Bb3 a6	0-0 c5	a3 c4	Ba2 Nc6			⩲
Steinitz Variation	... Be7	d3 Nf6	c3 O-O						=
	... ...	c3 Nf6	d4 Nxe4	Qe2 Nf6	dxe5 dxe5	Nxe5 0-0	0-0 Bd6	Nf3?!	=
	... ...	O-O Nf6	Re1 O-O	c3 c6	Bb3 Nbd7	d4			⩲
	... ...	... ...	... ...	... ...	... Bg4	d4 Nbd7	Nbd2		⩲
	... ...	... ...	d3 O-O	Re1 c6	Nbd2 Nbd7	a4			⩲
	... ...	... ...	... ...	c3 c6	Bb3 Nbd7	Re1			⩲
	... ...	d4!? exd4	Nxd4 Nd7??	Bxf7+! Kxf7	Ne6! Kxe6??	Qd5+ Kf6	Qf5#		Mate
	... ...	... ...	... ...	... ...	... Qe8	Nxc7			+/−
Transposition to the Exchange Variation with 4. Nxd4	... ...	... ...	... Nf6!	Nc3 O-O	O-O				=

References

Bibliography

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

• McGowan, Alan (2018). Kurt Richter: A Chess Biography with 499 Games. ISBN 978-1-4766-6906-9.
• Kaufman, Larry (2004). The Chess Advantage in Black and White. ISBN 0-8129-3571-3.
• Pandolfini, Bruce (1995). Chess Thinking, The visual dictionary of over 1000 moves, rules, strategies, and concepts. ISBN 0-671-79502-3.
• 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

• ChessBase (2023). Philidor Defence.
• Chess Openings for Beginners (2009). Philidor Defense: General Information.
• chessorb.com (2024). Energize the Philidor with the Lopez Countergambit.
• ChessPathways (2019). PHILIDOR DEFENSE.
• ChessPathways (2019). The Philidor Defense.
• Chess Simplified (2019). Philidor Defence.
• chesstempo.com (2023). Philidor Defense, Lopez Countergambit (C41).
• ecochess.com (2016). Eco Chess C40-C49.
• HangingPawns (2019). Introduction to the Philidor Defense.
• Marsh, Sean (ChessAble) (2021). Chess Opening Basics: The Philidor Defense.
• mortal chess (2024). The DEADLIEST Philidor defense line YOU are probably NOT aware of.
• Prem, Krishna (2012). Chess openings - Philidor Defence.
• The Chess Website (2012). Philidor Defense - Chess Openings.
• simplifychess.com (2024). The Philidor: Lopez counter-gambit.
• Solomon, Ruddell (TheChessGiant) (2021). Chess Openings: Learn to Play the Philidor Defense!.
• Wikiwand (2024). List of Chess Gambits.