ECO C41 · Philidor Defense

Philidor Defense: Morphy Gambit

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 exd4 4. Bc4

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

4… Nf6+0.29

The position is roughly equal. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Philidor Defense: Morphy Gambit (C41), reached after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 exd4 4. Bc4, Stockfish 18 recommends 4… Nf6 for Black. The position is roughly equal (+0.29).

Top engine moves

  1. +0.294… Nf6 5. Qxd4 Nc6 6. Qd3 Be7 7. Nc3 O-O 8. Bf4 a6 9. a4
  2. +0.374… Be7 5. Nxd4 Nf6 6. Nc3 O-O 7. O-O Nxe4 8. Nxe4 d5 9. Bd3
  3. +0.404… Nc6 5. Nxd4 Nf6 6. O-O Be7 7. Nc3 O-O 8. a4 Re8 9. a5

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Philidor Defense: Morphy Gambit?
After 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 exd4 4. Bc4, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 4… Nf6 for Black, continuing 5. Qxd4 Nc6 6. Qd3 Be7 7. Nc3 O-O 8. Bf4 a6 9. a4. The position is roughly equal (+0.29). The next best moves are 4… Be7 (+0.37) and 4… Nc6 (+0.40).
Is the Philidor Defense: Morphy Gambit a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.29: 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: Morphy Gambit?
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+).