Philidor Defense: Lion Variation, Lion's Claw, with Bc4 and h6
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 Nf6 4. Nc3 Nbd7 5. Bc4 Be7 6. O-O h6
7. Re1+0.50
White is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.
Analyze this positionIn the Philidor Defense: Lion Variation, Lion's Claw, with Bc4 and h6 (C41), reached after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 Nf6 4. Nc3 Nbd7 5. Bc4 Be7 6. O-O h6, Stockfish 18 recommends 7. Re1 for White. White is slightly better (+0.50).
Top engine moves
- +0.507. Re1 O-O 8. a4 a5 9. h3 c6 10. Be3 Re8 11. d5 Nb6
- +0.497. a4 a5 8. h3 O-O 9. Qe2 c6 10. Rd1 Qc7 11. Be3 exd4
- +0.487. h3 a5 8. a4 O-O 9. Re1 c6 10. Be3 Re8 11. d5 Nb6
Frequently asked questions
What is the best move in the Philidor Defense: Lion Variation, Lion's Claw, with Bc4 and h6?
After 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 Nf6 4. Nc3 Nbd7 5. Bc4 Be7 6. O-O h6, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 7. Re1 for White, continuing O-O 8. a4 a5 9. h3 c6 10. Be3 Re8 11. d5 Nb6. White is slightly better (+0.50). The next best moves are 7. a4 (+0.49) and 7. h3 (+0.48).
Is the Philidor Defense: Lion Variation, Lion's Claw, with Bc4 and h6 a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.50: 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, Lion's Claw, with Bc4 and h6?
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+).