ECO C41 · Philidor Defense

Philidor Defense: Philidor Gambit

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 Bd7

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

4. dxe5+1.22

White is clearly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Philidor Defense: Philidor Gambit (C41), reached after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 Bd7, Stockfish 18 recommends 4. dxe5 for White. White is clearly better (+1.22).

Top engine moves

  1. +1.224. dxe5 Nc6 5. Bg5 Be7 6. Bxe7 Qxe7 7. exd6 Qxe4+ 8. Be2 Qf4
  2. +0.764. Bc4 Nc6 5. Ng5 Nh6 6. d5 Ne7 7. a4 Ng6 8. h4 Be7
  3. +0.764. c3 Nc6 5. Bc4 Qe7 6. O-O g6 7. Na3 a6 8. Ng5 Nh6

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Philidor Defense: Philidor Gambit?
After 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 Bd7, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 4. dxe5 for White, continuing Nc6 5. Bg5 Be7 6. Bxe7 Qxe7 7. exd6 Qxe4+ 8. Be2 Qf4. White is clearly better (+1.22). The next best moves are 4. Bc4 (+0.76) and 4. c3 (+0.76).
Is the Philidor Defense: Philidor Gambit a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +1.22: 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 Gambit?
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+).