Philidor Defense: Lion Variation, Delayed Bishop Sacrifice
1. e4 d6 2. d4 Nf6 3. Nc3 Nbd7 4. Nf3 e5 5. Bc4 Be7 6. dxe5 dxe5 7. Bxf7+
7… Kxf7−0.45
Black is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.
Analyze this positionIn the Philidor Defense: Lion Variation, Delayed Bishop Sacrifice (C41), reached after 1. e4 d6 2. d4 Nf6 3. Nc3 Nbd7 4. Nf3 e5 5. Bc4 Be7 6. dxe5 dxe5 7. Bxf7+, Stockfish 18 recommends 7… Kxf7 for Black. Black is slightly better (−0.45).
Top engine moves
- −0.457… Kxf7 8. Ng5+ Kg6 9. f4 exf4 10. Ne6 Qg8 11. Nd5 Bd8 12. Nexc7
- +2.137… Kf8 8. Ng5 Nb6 9. Qf3 Bg4 10. Ne6+ Bxe6 11. Bxe6 Ke8 12. Qh3
Frequently asked questions
What is the best move in the Philidor Defense: Lion Variation, Delayed Bishop Sacrifice?
After 1. e4 d6 2. d4 Nf6 3. Nc3 Nbd7 4. Nf3 e5 5. Bc4 Be7 6. dxe5 dxe5 7. Bxf7+, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 7… Kxf7 for Black, continuing 8. Ng5+ Kg6 9. f4 exf4 10. Ne6 Qg8 11. Nd5 Bd8 12. Nexc7. Black is slightly better (−0.45). The next best moves are 7… Kf8 (+2.13).
Is the Philidor Defense: Lion Variation, Delayed Bishop Sacrifice a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at −0.45: black 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, Delayed Bishop Sacrifice?
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+).