Philidor Defense
ECO C41beginner
The Philidor, 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 d6, supports e5 with a pawn instead of a piece — compact, slightly passive, and much more resilient than its reputation suggests. The modern treatment reaches the Hanham setup (...Nd7, ...Be7, ...c6) often via the move order 1...d6 and 2...Nf6, keeping the center flexible. Black's plan is patient: complete development behind the pawn wall, then strike with ...exd4 and piece pressure, or hold the center and expand queenside.
Main line
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 exd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Be7 6.g3 O-O 7.Bg2 Nc6
Diagram shows the position after 6 half-moves of the main line. On SpeakChess you can drill this line move by move — the trainer plays the other side and corrects you instantly, then spaced repetition schedules each variation so you review it right before you would forget it.
Win rates by rating
Results from real online games, measured after the line shown in each row. Most opening sites show one aggregate number — how an opening scores depends heavily on who is playing it.
| Rating | Games | White wins | Draws | Black wins | Position after |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 400-600 | 51 | 47.1% | 3.9% | 49% | 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 exd4 4.Nxd4 |
| 600-800 | 39 | 46.2% | 10.3% | 43.6% | 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 exd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 |
| 800-1000 | 136 | 47.8% | 2.9% | 49.3% | 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 exd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Be7 |
| 1000-1200 | 1,222 | 49.2% | 2.7% | 48.1% | 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 exd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Be7 |
| 1200-1400 | 32 | 37.5% | 6.2% | 56.3% | 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 exd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Be7 6.g3 |
Most played continuations (1000-1200 rating)
After 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 exd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Be7:
- Bc4 — played 24.1% of the time (White wins 51.2%, draws 3%, Black wins 45.8%)
- Bd3 — played 17.5% of the time (White wins 46.7%, draws 3.7%, Black wins 49.5%)
- Bg5 — played 15.1% of the time (White wins 50.5%, draws 2.7%, Black wins 46.7%)
Frequently asked questions
Is the Philidor Defense passive?
It concedes space, but the structure has no weaknesses, and the counterattacking plans (...exd4 with ...Re8 and ...Bf8 regrouping, or a delayed ...d5 break) are genuinely dangerous against autopilot play. Many strong grandmasters use it as a practical workhorse against 1.e4.
What should White play against the Philidor?
Take the center and keep it: 3.d4, and after 3...exd4 4.Nxd4 simple development with Bc4 or Be2, Nc3 and 0-0 leaves White a stable space edge. The main thing to avoid is releasing the tension without gain — Black's setup thrives against careless exchanges.
Learn the Philidor Defense for free
Interactive move-by-move training, ELO-calibrated sparring bots that actually play these lines, and spaced-repetition reviews. No installs, free to start.