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

Philidor Defence
a b c d e f g h
8a8 black rookb8 black kingc8 black bishopd8 black queene8 black kingf8 black bishopg8 black knighth8 black rook8
7a7 black pawnb7 black pawnc7 black pawnd7 black knighte7 black kingf7 black pawng7 black pawnh7 black pawn7
6a6 black kingb6 black kingc6 black kingd6 black pawne6 black kingf6 black kingg6 black kingh6 black king6
5a5 black kingb5 black kingc5 black kingd5 black kinge5 black kingf5 black kingg5 black kingh5 black king5
4a4 black kingb4 black kingc4 white bishopd4 black pawne4 white pawnf4 black kingg4 black kingh4 black king4
3a3 black kingb3 black kingc3 black kingd3 black kinge3 black kingf3 white knightg3 black kingh3 black king3
2a2 white pawnb2 white pawnc2 white pawnd2 black kinge2 black kingf2 white pawng2 white pawnh2 white pawn2
1a1 white rookb1 white knightc1 white bishopd1 white queene1 white kingf1 black kingg1 black kingh1 white rook1
a b c d e f g h
Position in Forsyth-Edwards Notation (FEN)
Moves: 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 Nd7 4. Bc4 exd4

4...exd4

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This is the only safe step in the minefield of traps. However, it looks strange, giving up the central strongpoint on e5, but Black remains solid. White usually plays Nxd4 and sets up one more trap. While White has a slight advantage, careful play is required to maintain the initiative and prevent Black from gaining counterplay. The position remains complex, with both sides considering various strategic options

White moves
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  • Qxd4: This move is beneficial for White as it threatens to play Nc3, supports the development of the knight to c3 by removing the pawn on d4, and threatens the black pawn on g7. The sequence 5. Qxd4 c6 6. Nc3 Qb6 7. Bf4 demonstrates how White can maintain the initiative, with the possibility of castling queenside on the next move (8. O-O-O).
  • Nxd4: This move is also a viable option for White, as it wins material. However, White may lose some of the advantage gained earlier in the game. The move intends to follow up with either O-O or Nc3.
Black's main defensive ideas
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  • Playing ...Qb6 to support the pawn on d4
  • Developing the knight to f6, threatening d5 or Ne5
  • Moving the bishop to e7 to guard the key square g5 and protect the king.

Theory table

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5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
Hanham Variation
Nxd4
Ngf6
Qxd4!
Ngf6
Nc3
Be7
Bf4
O-O
O-O-O
Nb6
Bb3
a5
a3
...
...
...
...
Bxf7+!?
Kxf7
Ng5+
Kg8??
Qc4+ +/−
...
...
...
...
...
...
...
Ke8
Ne6
c5
Qd1
Qb6
Nxg7+
Kf7
Nf5 =

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Bibliography

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