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

< 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 white knighte4 white pawnf4 black kingg4 black kingh4 black king4
3a3 black kingb3 black kingc3 black kingd3 black kinge3 black kingf3 black kingg3 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)

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

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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

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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 ⩲

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Wikipedia has related information at Philidor Defence

Bibliography

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