ECO C41 · Philidor Defense

Philidor Defense: Lopez Countergambit

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d6 3. Bc4 f5

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White to move. The arrow shows Stockfish’s best move.
Best move

4. d4+1.43

White is clearly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Philidor Defense: Lopez Countergambit (C41), reached after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d6 3. Bc4 f5, Stockfish 18 recommends 4. d4 for White. White is clearly better (+1.43).

Top engine moves

  1. +1.434. d4 Nc6 5. Nc3 exd4 6. Nxd4 Nxd4 7. Qxd4 Qf6 8. Qe3 Kd8
  2. +1.134. Nc3 fxe4 5. Nxe5 Qh4 6. Bf7+ Ke7 7. g3 Qh3 8. Nd5+ Kd8
  3. +0.984. exf5 Bxf5 5. O-O Be7 6. Nc3 c5 7. Nd5 Nc6 8. Re1 Nf6

Variations

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Philidor Defense: Lopez Countergambit?
After 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d6 3. Bc4 f5, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 4. d4 for White, continuing Nc6 5. Nc3 exd4 6. Nxd4 Nxd4 7. Qxd4 Qf6 8. Qe3 Kd8. White is clearly better (+1.43). The next best moves are 4. Nc3 (+1.13) and 4. exf5 (+0.98).
Is the Philidor Defense: Lopez Countergambit a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +1.43: white is clearly 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: Lopez Countergambit?
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+).