Philidor Defense: Berger Variation
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 exd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 Be7 6. Be2 O-O 7. O-O c5 8. Nf3 Nc6 9. Bg5 Be6 10. Re1
10… h6+0.12
The position is roughly equal. Stockfish 18, depth 18.
Analyze this positionIn the Philidor Defense: Berger Variation (C41), reached after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 exd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 Be7 6. Be2 O-O 7. O-O c5 8. Nf3 Nc6 9. Bg5 Be6 10. Re1, Stockfish 18 recommends 10… h6 for Black. The position is roughly equal (+0.12).
Top engine moves
- +0.1210… h6 11. Bxf6 Bxf6 12. Nd5 Bxd5 13. exd5 Nd4 14. Nxd4 Bxd4 15. c3
- +0.3810… Re8 11. Bf1 h6 12. Bh4 Bg4 13. h3 Bh5 14. g4 Bg6 15. Nd2
- +0.4810… a6 11. Bf1 h6 12. Bh4 Re8 13. h3 Nh5 14. Bxe7 Nxe7 15. Qd2
Frequently asked questions
What is the best move in the Philidor Defense: Berger Variation?
After 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 exd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 Be7 6. Be2 O-O 7. O-O c5 8. Nf3 Nc6 9. Bg5 Be6 10. Re1, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 10… h6 for Black, continuing 11. Bxf6 Bxf6 12. Nd5 Bxd5 13. exd5 Nd4 14. Nxd4 Bxd4 15. c3. The position is roughly equal (+0.12). The next best moves are 10… Re8 (+0.38) and 10… a6 (+0.48).
Is the Philidor Defense: Berger Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.12: 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 Philidor Defense: Berger Variation?
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+).