ECO C41 · Philidor Defense

Philidor Defense: Philidor Countergambit, Berger Variation

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 f5 4. dxe5 fxe4 5. Ng5 d5 6. e6 Bc5 7. Nc3

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

7… Nf6+0.55

White is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Philidor Defense: Philidor Countergambit, Berger Variation (C41), reached after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 f5 4. dxe5 fxe4 5. Ng5 d5 6. e6 Bc5 7. Nc3, Stockfish 18 recommends 7… Nf6 for Black. White is slightly better (+0.55).

Top engine moves

  1. +0.557… Nf6 8. Nf7 Qe7 9. Nxh8 Bxe6 10. Be3 Nc6 11. Bxc5 Qxc5 12. Bb5
  2. +1.877… Bb4 8. Nf7 Qf6 9. Nxh8 Bxe6 10. Bd2 Nc6 11. Qh5+ g6 12. Qxh7
  3. +2.037… e3 8. Bxe3 Bxe3 9. Nf7 Bxf2+ 10. Kxf2 Qf6+ 11. Qf3 Bxe6 12. Nxh8

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Philidor Defense: Philidor Countergambit, Berger Variation?
After 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 f5 4. dxe5 fxe4 5. Ng5 d5 6. e6 Bc5 7. Nc3, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 7… Nf6 for Black, continuing 8. Nf7 Qe7 9. Nxh8 Bxe6 10. Be3 Nc6 11. Bxc5 Qxc5 12. Bb5. White is slightly better (+0.55). The next best moves are 7… Bb4 (+1.87) and 7… e3 (+2.03).
Is the Philidor Defense: Philidor Countergambit, Berger 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: Philidor Countergambit, Berger 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+).