for Black · intermediate
Philidor Defense
4/4
1.e4e52.Nf3d6
Black supports the e5 pawn with d6 rather than developing a knight. The result is a solid but passive setup. The position is cramped yet resilient and difficult to crack. Players can reach it via the Pirc move order to avoid sharp lines.
Key ideas
- Solidly hold e5 and maintain a compact pawn structure
- Regroup with ...exd4 and ...Nf6/...Be7, then prepare to expand
- Push ...c6 and ...d5 or ...f5 when prepared for central breaks
- Accept cramped conditions in exchange for durability
Live databaseLichess 1600–2000 · blitz + rapid
Philidor Defense51.4M games · White to move
MoveWhite / draw / BlackPlayedGamesScore
8.1%4.2M53%
5.1%2.6M53%
4%2.1M54%
1.4%724k51%
1%526k50%
0.8%418k52%
0.3%176k51%
0.3%156k52%
Famous games in this line6.5k master games
Dominguez Perez, Leinier (2758) – Carlsen, Magnus (2863)Karjakin, Sergey (2752) – Carlsen, M.. (2862)Carlsen, Magnus (2837) – Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar (2726)Carlsen, Magnus (2863) – Dubov, Daniil (2699)Grischuk, Alexander (2784) – Dubov, Daniil (2770)Aronian, L.. (2781) – Mamedyarov, S.. (2770)Nepomniachtchi, Ian (2784) – Giri, Anish (2764)Anand, Viswanathan (2792) – Aronian, Levon (2752)Heroes of this opening Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar · Dubov, Daniil · Carlsen, Magnus · Karjakin, Sergey
Keep exploring
Go deeper — named lines from here
Philidor Defense: Philidor Gambit3.d4 Bd7Philidor Defense: Hanham Variation3.d4 Nd7 · 7 deeper linesPhilidor Defense: Exchange Variation3.d4 exd4 · 6 deeper linesPhilidor Defense: Lopez Countergambit3.Bc4 f5
Nearby lines in the family
Study this opening