ECO B07 · Lion Defense

Lion Defense: Anti-Philidor, Lion's Cave, Lion Claw Gambit

1. e4 d6 2. d4 Nf6 3. Nc3 Nbd7 4. f4 e5 5. Nf3 exd4 6. Qxd4 c6 7. Bc4 d5

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

8. exd5−0.19

The position is roughly equal. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Lion Defense: Anti-Philidor, Lion's Cave, Lion Claw Gambit (B07), reached after 1. e4 d6 2. d4 Nf6 3. Nc3 Nbd7 4. f4 e5 5. Nf3 exd4 6. Qxd4 c6 7. Bc4 d5, Stockfish 18 recommends 8. exd5 for White. The position is roughly equal (−0.19).

Top engine moves

  1. −0.198. exd5 Bc5 9. Qd3 O-O 10. dxc6 Re8+ 11. Ne2 bxc6 12. Ng5 Re7
  2. −1.288. Be2 Bc5 9. Qd3 Qb6 10. exd5 O-O 11. d6 Re8 12. Kf1 h6
  3. −1.738. e5 Bc5 9. Qd1 dxc4 10. exf6 O-O 11. fxg7 Re8+ 12. Kf1 b5

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Lion Defense: Anti-Philidor, Lion's Cave, Lion Claw Gambit?
After 1. e4 d6 2. d4 Nf6 3. Nc3 Nbd7 4. f4 e5 5. Nf3 exd4 6. Qxd4 c6 7. Bc4 d5, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 8. exd5 for White, continuing Bc5 9. Qd3 O-O 10. dxc6 Re8+ 11. Ne2 bxc6 12. Ng5 Re7. The position is roughly equal (−0.19). The next best moves are 8. Be2 (−1.28) and 8. e5 (−1.73).
Is the Lion Defense: Anti-Philidor, Lion's Cave, Lion Claw Gambit a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at −0.19: the position is roughly equal. 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, Lion's Cave, Lion Claw Gambit?
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+).