ECO C41 · Philidor Defense

Philidor Defense

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d6

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

3. d4+0.56

White is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Philidor Defense (C41), reached after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d6, Stockfish 18 recommends 3. d4 for White. White is slightly better (+0.56).

Top engine moves

  1. +0.563. d4 Nd7 4. Bc4 c6 5. dxe5 dxe5 6. Ng5 Nh6 7. O-O Be7
  2. +0.463. Bc4 Nf6 4. Nc3 Be7 5. d4 exd4 6. Nxd4 O-O 7. O-O Nxe4
  3. +0.343. Nc3 c5 4. Bc4 Be7 5. Nd5 Nf6 6. Nxf6+ Bxf6 7. d3 O-O

Other move orders

  • 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4
  • 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d6 3. Bc4
  • 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d6 3. Bc4 Be7

All Philidor Defense variations (37)

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Philidor Defense?
After 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d6, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 3. d4 for White, continuing Nd7 4. Bc4 c6 5. dxe5 dxe5 6. Ng5 Nh6 7. O-O Be7. White is slightly better (+0.56). The next best moves are 3. Bc4 (+0.46) and 3. Nc3 (+0.34).
Is the Philidor Defense a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.56: 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 Philidor Defense?
C41. ECO codes classify chess openings from A00 to E99; C is the volume for open games and the French Defense.

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