ECO C41 · Philidor Defense

Philidor Defense: Lion Variation

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 Nf6 4. Nc3 Nbd7

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

5. a4+0.59

White is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Philidor Defense: Lion Variation (C41), reached after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 Nf6 4. Nc3 Nbd7, Stockfish 18 recommends 5. a4 for White. White is slightly better (+0.59).

Top engine moves

  1. +0.595. a4 Be7 6. Bc4 c6 7. O-O O-O 8. Re1 exd4 9. Nxd4 d5
  2. +0.585. Bc4 Be7 6. O-O c6 7. a4 O-O 8. Re1 exd4 9. Nxd4 Ne5
  3. +0.565. h3 c6 6. a4 Be7 7. Bc4 a5 8. O-O O-O 9. Be3 Qc7

Variations

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Philidor Defense: Lion Variation?
After 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 Nf6 4. Nc3 Nbd7, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 5. a4 for White, continuing Be7 6. Bc4 c6 7. O-O O-O 8. Re1 exd4 9. Nxd4 d5. White is slightly better (+0.59). The next best moves are 5. Bc4 (+0.58) and 5. h3 (+0.56).
Is the Philidor Defense: Lion Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.59: 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: Lion 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+).