Philidor Defense: Hanham Variation, Sharp Variation
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 Nd7 4. Bc4 Nb6
5. Bb3+0.85
White is clearly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.
Analyze this positionIn the Philidor Defense: Hanham Variation, Sharp Variation (C41), reached after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 Nd7 4. Bc4 Nb6, Stockfish 18 recommends 5. Bb3 for White. White is clearly better (+0.85).
Top engine moves
- +0.855. Bb3 exd4 6. Qxd4 Nf6 7. e5 c5 8. Qh4 dxe5 9. Nxe5 Be6
- +0.675. Be2 Nf6 6. Nc3 Nbd7 7. a4 Be7 8. a5 O-O 9. O-O Re8
- +0.585. Bd3 exd4 6. O-O g6 7. Bg5 Be7 8. Bf4 Nf6 9. Nxd4 O-O
Frequently asked questions
What is the best move in the Philidor Defense: Hanham Variation, Sharp Variation?
After 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 Nd7 4. Bc4 Nb6, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 5. Bb3 for White, continuing exd4 6. Qxd4 Nf6 7. e5 c5 8. Qh4 dxe5 9. Nxe5 Be6. White is clearly better (+0.85). The next best moves are 5. Be2 (+0.67) and 5. Bd3 (+0.58).
Is the Philidor Defense: Hanham Variation, Sharp Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.85: white is clearly 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, Sharp 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+).