ECO B07 · Lion Defense

Lion Defense: Anti-Philidor

1. e4 d6 2. d4 Nf6 3. Nc3 Nbd7 4. f4

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Black to move. The arrow shows Stockfish’s best move.
Best move

4… e5+0.59

White is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Lion Defense: Anti-Philidor (B07), reached after 1. e4 d6 2. d4 Nf6 3. Nc3 Nbd7 4. f4, Stockfish 18 recommends 4… e5 for Black. White is slightly better (+0.59).

Top engine moves

  1. +0.594… e5 5. Nf3 exd4 6. Qxd4 c6 7. Bd2 d5 8. O-O-O Bc5 9. Qd3
  2. +0.804… e6 5. Nf3 c5 6. d5 exd5 7. e5 dxe5 8. fxe5 Nxe5 9. Nxe5
  3. +0.874… Nb6 5. a4 a5 6. Bd3 e5 7. dxe5 Bg4 8. Nf3 dxe5 9. h3

Variations

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Lion Defense: Anti-Philidor?
After 1. e4 d6 2. d4 Nf6 3. Nc3 Nbd7 4. f4, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 4… e5 for Black, continuing 5. Nf3 exd4 6. Qxd4 c6 7. Bd2 d5 8. O-O-O Bc5 9. Qd3. White is slightly better (+0.59). The next best moves are 4… e6 (+0.80) and 4… Nb6 (+0.87).
Is the Lion Defense: Anti-Philidor a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.59: white is slightly better. Evaluations this early in the game are small, so practical results depend far more on knowing the plans and typical structures than on the engine's number.
What is the ECO code of the Lion Defense: Anti-Philidor?
B07. ECO codes classify chess openings from A00 to E99; B is the volume for semi-open games (other than the French).

Opening names from the Lichess opening book (CC0). Pieces by Colin M.L. Burnett (GPLv2+).