Philidor Defense

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 d6

ECO C41

The Philidor Defense is a chess opening reached after 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 d6, catalogued under code C41 in the Encyclopaedia of Chess Openings (ECO).

The defining move d6 is chosen by Black on move 2.

18 named continuations branch from this position, including the Albin-Blackburne Gambit and the Berger Variation.

Named variations

• Philidor Defense: Albin-Blackburne Gambit — ECO C41
• Philidor Defense: Berger Variation — ECO C41
• Philidor Defense: Bird Gambit — ECO C41
• Philidor Defense: Boden Variation — ECO C41
• Philidor Defense: Exchange Variation — ECO C41
• Philidor Defense: Hanham Variation — ECO C41
• Philidor Defense: Hanham, Kmoch Variation — ECO C41
• Philidor Defense: Larsen Variation — ECO C41
• Philidor Defense: Lion Variation — ECO C41
• Philidor Defense: Lopez Countergambit — ECO C41
• Philidor Defense: Morphy Gambit — ECO C41
• Philidor Defense: Nimzowitsch Variation — ECO C41
• Philidor Defense: Nimzowitsch, Larobok Variation — ECO C41
• Philidor Defense: Nimzowitsch, Locock Variation — ECO C41
• Philidor Defense: Paulsen Attack — ECO C41
• Philidor Defense: Philidor Countergambit — ECO C41
• Philidor Defense: Philidor Gambit — ECO C41
• Philidor Defense: Steinitz Variation — ECO C41

Do you want to learn openings?

Start with a GM-authored repertoire you study move by move, then practice against a human-like AI opponent:

• Catalan Opening
• King's Indian Defense with ...e5

Every chess term used here is defined in the chess terms glossary. Browse all opening courses or the full ECO code index.