Philidor Defense: Lion Variation, Sozin Variation
1. e4 d6 2. d4 Nf6 3. Nc3 e5 4. Nf3 Nbd7 5. Bc4 Be7 6. O-O O-O 7. Qe2 c6 8. a4 exd4
9. Nxd4+0.03
The position is roughly equal. Stockfish 18, depth 18.
Analyze this positionIn the Philidor Defense: Lion Variation, Sozin Variation (C41), reached after 1. e4 d6 2. d4 Nf6 3. Nc3 e5 4. Nf3 Nbd7 5. Bc4 Be7 6. O-O O-O 7. Qe2 c6 8. a4 exd4, Stockfish 18 recommends 9. Nxd4 for White. The position is roughly equal (+0.03).
Top engine moves
- +0.039. Nxd4 Re8 10. Ba2 Bf8 11. Qf3 Ne5 12. Qd1 d5 13. exd5 Bc5
- −1.589. Nb1 Re8 10. Bd3 Bf8 11. Bg5 d5 12. e5 h6 13. Bc1 Nc5
- −1.609. Nd1 Nc5 10. Nxd4 Ncxe4 11. f3 Nc5 12. Re1 Re8 13. Bg5 Bd7
Frequently asked questions
What is the best move in the Philidor Defense: Lion Variation, Sozin Variation?
After 1. e4 d6 2. d4 Nf6 3. Nc3 e5 4. Nf3 Nbd7 5. Bc4 Be7 6. O-O O-O 7. Qe2 c6 8. a4 exd4, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 9. Nxd4 for White, continuing Re8 10. Ba2 Bf8 11. Qf3 Ne5 12. Qd1 d5 13. exd5 Bc5. The position is roughly equal (+0.03). The next best moves are 9. Nb1 (−1.58) and 9. Nd1 (−1.60).
Is the Philidor Defense: Lion Variation, Sozin Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.03: 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, Sozin 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+).