ECO C41 · Philidor Defense

Philidor Defense: Paulsen Attack

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 exd4 4. Nxd4 d5 5. exd5

abcdefgh87654321
Black to move. The arrow shows Stockfish’s best move.
Best move

5… Qxd5+1.05

White is clearly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Philidor Defense: Paulsen Attack (C41), reached after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 exd4 4. Nxd4 d5 5. exd5, Stockfish 18 recommends 5… Qxd5 for Black. White is clearly better (+1.05).

Top engine moves

  1. +1.055… Qxd5 6. Qe2+ Be6 7. Nb5 Qd7 8. Bf4 Na6 9. N1c3 Bc5 10. Qf3
  2. +1.435… Nf6 6. Bb5+ Bd7 7. O-O Be7 8. Bxd7+ Nbxd7 9. c4 O-O 10. Bf4
  3. +1.455… Bb4+ 6. c3 Bc5 7. Nb3 Bd6 8. c4 Nf6 9. Nc3 O-O 10. Be2

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Philidor Defense: Paulsen Attack?
After 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 exd4 4. Nxd4 d5 5. exd5, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 5… Qxd5 for Black, continuing 6. Qe2+ Be6 7. Nb5 Qd7 8. Bf4 Na6 9. N1c3 Bc5 10. Qf3. White is clearly better (+1.05). The next best moves are 5… Nf6 (+1.43) and 5… Bb4+ (+1.45).
Is the Philidor Defense: Paulsen Attack a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +1.05: White is clearly better. That is a large edge for an opening position, so check the engine lines before playing it from the other side.
What is the ECO code of the Philidor Defense: Paulsen Attack?
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+).