ECO C41 · Philidor Defense

Philidor Defense: Albin-Blackburne Gambit

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 Bg4 4. dxe5 Nd7

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

5. exd6+1.03

White is clearly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Philidor Defense: Albin-Blackburne Gambit (C41), reached after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 Bg4 4. dxe5 Nd7, Stockfish 18 recommends 5. exd6 for White. White is clearly better (+1.03).

Top engine moves

  1. +1.035. exd6 Bxd6 6. Be2 Qf6 7. Nc3 Bxf3 8. Bxf3 O-O-O 9. Nd5 Qe6
  2. +0.665. h3 Bxf3 6. Qxf3 dxe5 7. Nd2 Qf6 8. h4 h5 9. Rh3 Qxf3
  3. +0.575. e6 fxe6 6. Be2 Bxf3 7. Bxf3 g6 8. O-O Bg7 9. g3 h5

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Philidor Defense: Albin-Blackburne Gambit?
After 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 Bg4 4. dxe5 Nd7, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 5. exd6 for White, continuing Bxd6 6. Be2 Qf6 7. Nc3 Bxf3 8. Bxf3 O-O-O 9. Nd5 Qe6. White is clearly better (+1.03). The next best moves are 5. h3 (+0.66) and 5. e6 (+0.57).
Is the Philidor Defense: Albin-Blackburne Gambit a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +1.03: white is clearly 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: Albin-Blackburne Gambit?
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+).