ECO C41 · Philidor Defense

Philidor Defense: Hanham, Kmoch Variation

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 Nd7 4. Bc4 c6 5. Ng5

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

5… Nh6+0.70

White is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Philidor Defense: Hanham, Kmoch Variation (C41), reached after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 Nd7 4. Bc4 c6 5. Ng5, Stockfish 18 recommends 5… Nh6 for Black. White is slightly better (+0.70).

Top engine moves

  1. +0.705… Nh6 6. O-O a5 7. c3 Nb6 8. Bd3 g6 9. Nf3 Bg7 10. h3
  2. +1.405… d5 6. exd5 Nb6 7. Bb3 cxd5 8. dxe5 h6 9. Nf3 Bc5 10. a4
  3. +2.615… Qa5+ 6. Bd2 Qb6 7. Bxf7+ Ke7 8. Bb3 Ngf6 9. O-O Qxd4 10. Nc3

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Philidor Defense: Hanham, Kmoch Variation?
After 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 Nd7 4. Bc4 c6 5. Ng5, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 5… Nh6 for Black, continuing 6. O-O a5 7. c3 Nb6 8. Bd3 g6 9. Nf3 Bg7 10. h3. White is slightly better (+0.70). The next best moves are 5… d5 (+1.40) and 5… Qa5+ (+2.61).
Is the Philidor Defense: Hanham, Kmoch Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.70: 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: Hanham, Kmoch 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+).