Philidor Defense: Lion Variation, Lion's Claw, with Be2 and c6
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 Nf6 4. Nc3 Nbd7 5. Be2 Be7 6. O-O c6
7. a4+0.44
White is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.
Analyze this positionIn the Philidor Defense: Lion Variation, Lion's Claw, with Be2 and c6 (C41), reached after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 Nf6 4. Nc3 Nbd7 5. Be2 Be7 6. O-O c6, Stockfish 18 recommends 7. a4 for White. White is slightly better (+0.44).
Top engine moves
- +0.447. a4 a5 8. h3 O-O 9. Be3 h6 10. Re1 Re8 11. d5 Nb6
- +0.427. Re1 O-O 8. a4 a5 9. b3 Re8 10. Bf1 exd4 11. Nxd4 Nc5
- +0.327. h3 b5 8. Bd3 O-O 9. Ne2 d5 10. Ng3 dxe4 11. Nxe4 exd4
Frequently asked questions
What is the best move in the Philidor Defense: Lion Variation, Lion's Claw, with Be2 and c6?
After 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 Nf6 4. Nc3 Nbd7 5. Be2 Be7 6. O-O c6, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 7. a4 for White, continuing a5 8. h3 O-O 9. Be3 h6 10. Re1 Re8 11. d5 Nb6. White is slightly better (+0.44). The next best moves are 7. Re1 (+0.42) and 7. h3 (+0.32).
Is the Philidor Defense: Lion Variation, Lion's Claw, with Be2 and c6 a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.44: 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 Be2 and c6?
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+).