ECO C41 · Philidor Defense

Philidor Defense: Steinitz Variation

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d6 3. Bc4 Be7 4. c3

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

4… Nf6+0.23

The position is roughly equal. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Philidor Defense: Steinitz Variation (C41), reached after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d6 3. Bc4 Be7 4. c3, Stockfish 18 recommends 4… Nf6 for Black. The position is roughly equal (+0.23).

Top engine moves

  1. +0.234… Nf6 5. d3 c5 6. O-O O-O 7. a4 Nc6 8. Na3 a6 9. Nc2
  2. +0.464… Nd7 5. O-O Ngf6 6. Re1 O-O 7. d4 exd4 8. cxd4 d5 9. Bxd5
  3. +0.594… Nc6 5. Qb3 Nh6 6. d4 O-O 7. Bxh6 gxh6 8. Nbd2 Kh8 9. dxe5

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Philidor Defense: Steinitz Variation?
After 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d6 3. Bc4 Be7 4. c3, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 4… Nf6 for Black, continuing 5. d3 c5 6. O-O O-O 7. a4 Nc6 8. Na3 a6 9. Nc2. The position is roughly equal (+0.23). The next best moves are 4… Nd7 (+0.46) and 4… Nc6 (+0.59).
Is the Philidor Defense: Steinitz Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.23: the position is roughly equal. 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: Steinitz 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+).