Philidor Defense: Lion Variation, Forcing Line

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 Nf6 4.Nc3 Nbd7 5.Bc4 Be7 6.Ng5 O-O 7.Bxf7+ Rxf7 8.Ne6

ECO C41

The Philidor Defense: Lion Variation, Forcing Line is a chess opening line in the Philidor Defense complex, reached after 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 Nf6 4.Nc3 Nbd7 5.Bc4 Be7 6.Ng5 O-O 7.Bxf7+ Rxf7 8.Ne6.

It is catalogued under code C41 in the Encyclopaedia of Chess Openings (ECO).

The defining move Ne6 is chosen by White on move 8.

The Philidor Defense: Lion Variation, Forcing Line is a line of the Philidor Defense. The Philidor Defense is a chess opening that begins 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 d6. Read the complete Philidor Defense guide: what it is, how to reach it, its main variations, how to play against it, and its history.

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This position is covered in the Beat The Pirc course: a GM-authored repertoire you study move by move, then practice against a human-like AI opponent.

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