ECO C41 · Philidor Defense

Philidor Defense: Nimzowitsch Variation, Sokolsky Variation

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 Nf6 4. dxe5 Nxe4 5. Nbd2

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

5… Nxd2+0.33

White is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Philidor Defense: Nimzowitsch Variation, Sokolsky Variation (C41), reached after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 Nf6 4. dxe5 Nxe4 5. Nbd2, Stockfish 18 recommends 5… Nxd2 for Black. White is slightly better (+0.33).

Top engine moves

  1. +0.335… Nxd2 6. Bxd2 Be7 7. Bb5+ Nc6 8. Nd4 O-O 9. Nxc6 bxc6 10. Bxc6
  2. +0.345… Nc5 6. Nc4 Nc6 7. exd6 cxd6 8. c3 d5 9. Ne3 Be6 10. Nd4
  3. +0.345… Ng5 6. Bb5+ c6 7. Bc4 d5 8. Bd3 Nxf3+ 9. Nxf3 Be7 10. h3

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Philidor Defense: Nimzowitsch Variation, Sokolsky Variation?
After 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 Nf6 4. dxe5 Nxe4 5. Nbd2, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 5… Nxd2 for Black, continuing 6. Bxd2 Be7 7. Bb5+ Nc6 8. Nd4 O-O 9. Nxc6 bxc6 10. Bxc6. White is slightly better (+0.33). The next best moves are 5… Nc5 (+0.34) and 5… Ng5 (+0.34).
Is the Philidor Defense: Nimzowitsch Variation, Sokolsky Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.33: 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, Sokolsky 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+).