Philidor Defense: Bird Gambit
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 exd4 4. c3
4… dxc3−0.11
The position is roughly equal. Stockfish 18, depth 18.
Analyze this positionIn the Philidor Defense: Bird Gambit (C41), reached after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 exd4 4. c3, Stockfish 18 recommends 4… dxc3 for Black. The position is roughly equal (−0.11).
Top engine moves
- −0.114… dxc3 5. Nxc3 Be7 6. Qc2 Nf6 7. Be2 Nc6 8. O-O O-O 9. Rd1
- −0.094… Nf6 5. Qc2 dxc3 6. Nxc3 Be7 7. Be2 O-O 8. O-O Nc6 9. Bf4
- +0.474… d3 5. Bxd3 g6 6. Bg5 Be7 7. Bf4 Nf6 8. O-O O-O 9. Bc2
Frequently asked questions
What is the best move in the Philidor Defense: Bird Gambit?
After 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 exd4 4. c3, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 4… dxc3 for Black, continuing 5. Nxc3 Be7 6. Qc2 Nf6 7. Be2 Nc6 8. O-O O-O 9. Rd1. The position is roughly equal (−0.11). The next best moves are 4… Nf6 (−0.09) and 4… d3 (+0.47).
Is the Philidor Defense: Bird Gambit a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at −0.11: 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: Bird 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+).