Philidor Defense: Lion Variation, Forcing Line
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 Nf6 4. Nc3 Nbd7 5. Bc4 Be7 6. Ng5 O-O 7. Bxf7+ Rxf7 8. Ne6
8… Qe80.00
The position is roughly equal. Stockfish 18, depth 18.
Analyze this positionIn the Philidor Defense: Lion Variation, Forcing Line (C41), reached after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 Nf6 4. Nc3 Nbd7 5. Bc4 Be7 6. Ng5 O-O 7. Bxf7+ Rxf7 8. Ne6, Stockfish 18 recommends 8… Qe8 for Black. The position is roughly equal (0.00).
Top engine moves
- 0.008… Qe8 9. Nxc7 Qd8 10. Nxa8 b6 11. Nb5 a6 12. Nac7 axb5 13. Ne6
- +2.908… Ng4 9. Nxd8 Nxf2 10. Qe2 Bxd8 11. O-O exd4 12. Rxf2 Rxf2 13. Kxf2
- +3.048… Nxe4 9. Nxd8 Nxf2 10. Qe2 Bxd8 11. O-O exd4 12. Rxf2 Rxf2 13. Qxf2
Frequently asked questions
What is the best move in the Philidor Defense: Lion Variation, Forcing Line?
After 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 Nf6 4. Nc3 Nbd7 5. Bc4 Be7 6. Ng5 O-O 7. Bxf7+ Rxf7 8. Ne6, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 8… Qe8 for Black, continuing 9. Nxc7 Qd8 10. Nxa8 b6 11. Nb5 a6 12. Nac7 axb5 13. Ne6. The position is roughly equal (0.00). The next best moves are 8… Ng4 (+2.90) and 8… Nxe4 (+3.04).
Is the Philidor Defense: Lion Variation, Forcing Line a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at 0.00: the position is roughly equal. 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, Forcing Line?
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+).