Philidor Defense: Hanham Variation, Schlechter Variation
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 Nd7 4. Bc4 c6 5. Nc3
5… Be7+0.52
White is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.
Analyze this positionIn the Philidor Defense: Hanham Variation, Schlechter Variation (C41), reached after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 Nd7 4. Bc4 c6 5. Nc3, Stockfish 18 recommends 5… Be7 for Black. White is slightly better (+0.52).
Top engine moves
- +0.525… Be7 6. a4 Ngf6 7. O-O a5 8. Re1 O-O 9. b3 h6 10. h3
- +0.765… exd4 6. Nxd4 Ngf6 7. Bf4 Ne5 8. Bb3 Be7 9. h3 a5 10. O-O
- +0.835… Qc7 6. Ng5 Nh6 7. a4 Be7 8. O-O O-O 9. h3 a5 10. Be3
Frequently asked questions
What is the best move in the Philidor Defense: Hanham Variation, Schlechter Variation?
After 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 Nd7 4. Bc4 c6 5. Nc3, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 5… Be7 for Black, continuing 6. a4 Ngf6 7. O-O a5 8. Re1 O-O 9. b3 h6 10. h3. White is slightly better (+0.52). The next best moves are 5… exd4 (+0.76) and 5… Qc7 (+0.83).
Is the Philidor Defense: Hanham Variation, Schlechter Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.52: 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, Schlechter 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+).