Philidor Defense: Nimzowitsch Variation
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 Nf6
4. dxe5+0.55
White is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.
Analyze this positionIn the Philidor Defense: Nimzowitsch Variation (C41), reached after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 Nf6, Stockfish 18 recommends 4. dxe5 for White. White is slightly better (+0.55).
Top engine moves
- +0.554. dxe5 Nxe4 5. Qd5 Nc5 6. Bg5 Qd7 7. exd6 Qxd6 8. Nc3 Qxd5
- +0.514. Nc3 Nbd7 5. Bc4 Be7 6. a4 O-O 7. O-O a5 8. h3 c6
- +0.394. Bd3 exd4 5. Nxd4 Be7 6. O-O O-O 7. Nc3 Nc6 8. Nxc6 bxc6
Other move orders
- 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 Nf6 4. dxe5
Variations
Frequently asked questions
What is the best move in the Philidor Defense: Nimzowitsch Variation?
After 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 Nf6, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 4. dxe5 for White, continuing Nxe4 5. Qd5 Nc5 6. Bg5 Qd7 7. exd6 Qxd6 8. Nc3 Qxd5. White is slightly better (+0.55). The next best moves are 4. Nc3 (+0.51) and 4. Bd3 (+0.39).
Is the Philidor Defense: Nimzowitsch Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.55: 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: Nimzowitsch 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+).