Philidor Defense: Nimzowitsch Variation, Rellstab Variation
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 Nf6 4. dxe5 Nxe4 5. Qd5
5… Nc5+0.62
White is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.
Analyze this positionIn the Philidor Defense: Nimzowitsch Variation, Rellstab Variation (C41), reached after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 Nf6 4. dxe5 Nxe4 5. Qd5, Stockfish 18 recommends 5… Nc5 for Black. White is slightly better (+0.62).
Top engine moves
- +0.625… Nc5 6. Bg5 Be7 7. exd6 Qxd6 8. Nc3 O-O 9. O-O-O Nc6 10. Qxd6
- +1.555… f5 6. Bc4 Qe7 7. O-O c6 8. exd6 cxd5 9. dxe7 dxc4 10. exf8=R+
- +1.815… Bf5 6. Bc4 Bg6 7. Qxb7 Nd7 8. Qc6 Rb8 9. Be3 Rxb2 10. O-O
Frequently asked questions
What is the best move in the Philidor Defense: Nimzowitsch Variation, Rellstab Variation?
After 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 Nf6 4. dxe5 Nxe4 5. Qd5, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 5… Nc5 for Black, continuing 6. Bg5 Be7 7. exd6 Qxd6 8. Nc3 O-O 9. O-O-O Nc6 10. Qxd6. White is slightly better (+0.62). The next best moves are 5… f5 (+1.55) and 5… Bf5 (+1.81).
Is the Philidor Defense: Nimzowitsch Variation, Rellstab Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.62: 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, Rellstab 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+).