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ECO C41Open game

Philidor Defense

A fortress around e5

  • Solid
Interactive Opening Board

7…c6

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Black
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♔
White
7…c6
Speed:

Moves

(14 plies • 7 moves)
7…c6Tabiya

The c6 pawn holds e5 firmly and frees the queen. Black has built a fortress.

  1. 1–7moves
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Defining move

2…d6! — defence with a pawn

The move that sets the Philidor apart from the usual 2…Nc6

Instead of defending e5 with a knight, Black defends it with a pawn. The knight stays free for more important tasks, and the position is compact. The price is passivity: the c8 bishop is shut in and Black has less space.

Tabiya

The Hanham position

A typical Philidor position: Black has a fortress of d6, c6 and e5 pawns and d7 and f6 knights. White presses on e5, but breaking the fortress is not easy. The position is closed, so play is unhurried: White regroups, Black waits for a good moment for …exd4 or …d5.

The centre

A closed fortress

Black has the d6–e5 chain and a c6 pawn. White has d4 and e4 and more space.

Key squarese5d4d5

Outposts

  • e5The heart of the fortress

    While e5 stands, Black's position is secure. All of Black's pieces work to defend it.

  • d4The tension square

    The fate of the centre is decided here: if Black takes on d4, White gets an open file.

Thematic breaks

  • d5Black

    The …d6-d5 strike

    Free the game and release the c8 bishop.

    What follows: If it works, the fortress becomes an ordinary equal position.

  • d5White

    The d4-d5 advance

    Close the centre and win space.

    What follows: The game becomes manoeuvring, and Black must seek counterplay on the wings.

White’s plan

  • Press on e5 and hold the centre.
  • Regroup without letting Black play the freeing …d5.
  • If Black errs, strike at f7 with pieces.

Black’s plan

  • Hold e5: …Nbd7, …c6, …Be7.
  • Finish development and castle.
  • Choose a moment for …exd4 or …d5 to break free.

Article

Philidor Defense

Legends who played it

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