Chess Opening Theory/1. e4/1...e5/2. Nf3/2...d6
| Philidor defence | |
|---|---|
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a b c d e f g h 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 a b c d e f g h | |
Position in Forsyth-Edwards Notation (FEN) | |
| Moves: 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d6 | |
| Parent: King's knight opening | |
2...d6 · Philidor defence
editBlack defends their e5 pawn with 2...d6, sparing a piece from being saddled with the job.
Though solid, this is considered a more passive reply than 2...Nc6, as Black does not develop a piece and Black's pawn chain will get in the way of developing their dark square bishop.
3. d4 is the mainline, threatening to immediately crack open the centre with dxe5. White imagines a continuation like 3...Bg4?! 4. dxe5 dxe5? 5. Qxd8+ Kxd8 6. Nxe5 Be6 +- (White is up materiel, controls the centre, and Black has lost castling rights).
After 3. d4, Black's best approaches are to give up their centre and open the game with 3...exd4, the Exchange variation, or to hold on to e5 and keep the tension with 3...Nd7, the Hanham variation. Black's most Romantic reply is 3...f5?!, the Philidor countergambit.
3. Bc4 is an alternative for White. White may just follow with d4 anyway and transpose, or they may wish to play less confrontationally with d3 and are ensuring their bishop isn't hemmed in by their pawn chain first.
History
edit2...d6 was recommended as an alternative to defending the pawn with 2...Nc6 by 16th century chess theoretician Ruy López de Segura, in order to avoid the reply 3. Bb5 (i.e. the Spanish opening) which he believed favoured White.
It is named for François-André Danican Philidor, the 18th century chess master, who advocated 2...d6 with the continuation 3. d4 f5?!, the Philidor countergambit, to assault White's centre.[1]
In 1858 it was employed unsuccessfully by the Duke of Brunswick and Comte Isougard in their game against Paul Morphy. The Opera Game, as it is called, is widely used as an illustrative game in chess pedagogy today.[2]
Its popularity declined in the 20th century and it is no longer seen at the top levels of chess.
Theory table
edit.
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d6
| 3 | 4 | 5 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | d4 exd4 |
Nxd4 Nf6 |
Nc3 Be7 |
= |
| 2 | Bc4 Be7 |
d3 Nf6 |
c3 O-O |
= |
References
edit- ↑ ChessBase (2016). Philidor's "L'Analyze des Echecs".
- ↑ Chessgames.com (2023). Paul Morphy vs Duke Karl / Count Isouard.
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
edit- 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!.