Philidor Defense: Hanham Variation, Steiner Variation
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 Nd7 4. Bc4 c6 5. O-O Be7 6. dxe5
6… dxe5+1.04
White is clearly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.
Analyze this positionIn the Philidor Defense: Hanham Variation, Steiner Variation (C41), reached after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 Nd7 4. Bc4 c6 5. O-O Be7 6. dxe5, Stockfish 18 recommends 6… dxe5 for Black. White is clearly better (+1.04).
Top engine moves
- +1.046… dxe5 7. Ng5 Bxg5 8. Qh5 Qe7 9. Qxg5 Qxg5 10. Bxg5 Nf8 11. a4
- +1.926… Nxe5 7. Nxe5 dxe5 8. Qh5 g6 9. Qxe5 Nf6 10. Bh6 Rg8 11. Nc3
- +2.016… Nc5 7. Nc3 dxe5 8. Nxe5 Be6 9. Bxe6 Nxe6 10. Qh5 g6 11. Qh3
Frequently asked questions
What is the best move in the Philidor Defense: Hanham Variation, Steiner Variation?
After 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 Nd7 4. Bc4 c6 5. O-O Be7 6. dxe5, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 6… dxe5 for Black, continuing 7. Ng5 Bxg5 8. Qh5 Qe7 9. Qxg5 Qxg5 10. Bxg5 Nf8 11. a4. White is clearly better (+1.04). The next best moves are 6… Nxe5 (+1.92) and 6… Nc5 (+2.01).
Is the Philidor Defense: Hanham Variation, Steiner Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +1.04: 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, Steiner 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+).