ECO C41 · Philidor Defense

Philidor Defense: Philidor Countergambit

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 f5

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

4. Bc4+1.47

White is clearly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Philidor Defense: Philidor Countergambit (C41), reached after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 f5, Stockfish 18 recommends 4. Bc4 for White. White is clearly better (+1.47).

Top engine moves

  1. +1.474. Bc4 Nc6 5. Nc3 fxe4 6. Ng5 Nh6 7. Ngxe4 Nf7 8. O-O Be7
  2. +1.344. exf5 Bxf5 5. Nc3 Qd7 6. Bb5 c6 7. Be2 Nf6 8. O-O exd4
  3. +1.154. Nc3 fxe4 5. Nxe4 Nf6 6. Nxf6+ gxf6 7. c3 Be6 8. Nh4 Qe7

Variations

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Philidor Defense: Philidor Countergambit?
After 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 f5, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 4. Bc4 for White, continuing Nc6 5. Nc3 fxe4 6. Ng5 Nh6 7. Ngxe4 Nf7 8. O-O Be7. White is clearly better (+1.47). The next best moves are 4. exf5 (+1.34) and 4. Nc3 (+1.15).
Is the Philidor Defense: Philidor Countergambit a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +1.47: white is clearly 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: Philidor Countergambit?
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+).