Philidor Defense: Hanham Variation, Delmar Variation
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 Nd7 4. Bc4 c6 5. c3
5… Ngf6+0.50
White is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.
Analyze this positionIn the Philidor Defense: Hanham Variation, Delmar Variation (C41), reached after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 Nd7 4. Bc4 c6 5. c3, Stockfish 18 recommends 5… Ngf6 for Black. White is slightly better (+0.50).
Top engine moves
- +0.505… Ngf6 6. O-O exd4 7. Nxd4 g6 8. Bg5 Qc7 9. Qb3 Nc5 10. Qc2
- +0.605… exd4 6. cxd4 d5 7. exd5 Nb6 8. Qe2+ Qe7 9. Be3 Nxc4 10. Qxc4
- +0.725… a5 6. Ng5 Nh6 7. O-O Nb6 8. Bd3 g6 9. Nf3 Bg7 10. h3
Frequently asked questions
What is the best move in the Philidor Defense: Hanham Variation, Delmar Variation?
After 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 Nd7 4. Bc4 c6 5. c3, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 5… Ngf6 for Black, continuing 6. O-O exd4 7. Nxd4 g6 8. Bg5 Qc7 9. Qb3 Nc5 10. Qc2. White is slightly better (+0.50). The next best moves are 5… exd4 (+0.60) and 5… a5 (+0.72).
Is the Philidor Defense: Hanham Variation, Delmar Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.50: 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 Variation, Delmar 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+).