Philidor Defense report from your own games
Solid but passive. See if you generate enough counterplay.
Free • Instant Analysis • Works with any Chess.com username
Sample Report Preview
Here's what a personalized Philidor Defense analysis looks like
Philidor Defense Report
Performance vs Other Openings
Key Insights
Space Disadvantage Becomes Critical After Move 15
What this means
How to improve
The f5 Break Is Mistimed in 60% of Attempts
What this means
How to improve
Dark-Squared Bishop Is Ineffective in 65% of Games
What this means
How to improve
Top Variations
Enter your Chess.com username to see your personalized report
What we analyze in your Philidor Defense games
Your handling of space disadvantage
Your timing of the ...f5 pawn break
Your response to the Lion's Jaw Attack
Your king safety in active play
Your ability to avoid passive setups
Learn This Opening
Play through the main line move by move
सफ़ेद केंद्र में स्थान का दावा करता है और अपने मोहरों के विकास को सक्षम बनाता है।
Key Positions to Know
Critical concepts every Philidor Defense player should understand
The Solid ...d6 Structure
With 2...d6, Black reinforces the e5 pawn from behind, creating a compact but cramped position. This structure is extremely solid — there are no immediate weaknesses — but the trade-off is limited space. Black must find the right moment to break free.
The ...f5 Pawn Break
Black's primary source of counterplay is the ...f5 advance, striking at White's e4 pawn and opening the f-file for the rook. This break is especially effective in the Hanham Variation after ...Nbd7, ...Be7, and ...O-O, when Black is fully prepared for central action.
The Hanham Variation
The modern way to play the Philidor: ...Nbd7, ...Be7, and ...O-O followed by ...c6. This setup avoids the most dangerous white attacks while keeping a flexible position. Black's pieces are harmoniously placed, ready to support either ...f5 or ...d5 when the time is right.
Strategic Plans
♔White's Plans
- •काले की तंग स्थिति का लाभ उठाने के लिए केंद्र और पंखों पर हमला करना।
- •d5 या f4 अग्रिमों के साथ काले की संरचना को कमज़ोर करना।
- •एक मजबूत स्थितिगत लाभ प्राप्त करने के लिए मोहरों को सक्रिय रूप से तैनात करना।
♚Black's Plans
- •एक ठोस केंद्र बनाए रखना और सफ़ेद के हमलों को बेअसर करना।
- •मोहरों को लचीले ढंग से विकसित करना और जवाबी हमले की तैयारी करना, अक्सर f5 अग्रिम के साथ।
- •तंग स्थिति के बावजूद, एंडगेम (endgame) में एक अनुकूल स्थिति बनाने का प्रयास करना।
Key Variations
Explore the most important branches and transpositions in the Philidor Defense.
Hanham Variation
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 Nd7 4.Bc4 c6 5.O-O Be7
एंटोशिन वेरिएशन (3...exd4), जहाँ काला केंद्र को खोलता है और टुकड़ों के विकास को प्राथमिकता देता है।
Lion Variation
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 Nf6 4.Nc3 Nbd7 5.Bc4 Be7 6.O-O O-O 7.Qe2 c6 8.a4 Qc7
हैनहैम वेरिएशन, जहाँ काले का लक्ष्य केंद्र में तनाव बनाए रखना और अपने टुकड़ों को धीरे-धीरे विकसित करना है, अक्सर ...Nbd7 और ...Be7 के साथ।
Larsen Variation
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 exd4 4.Nxd4 g6 5.Nc3 Bg7
लायन वेरिएशन एक बहुत ही ठोस सेटअप है जहाँ काला d6 और Nd7 खेलता है।
Nimzowitsch Variation
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 Nf6 4.dxe5 Nxe4 5.Qd5 Nc5 6.Bg5 Be7
A sharp and risky approach where Black immediately captures in the center. Named after Aron Nimzowitsch, who advocated hypermodern ideas. After 4.dxe5 Nxe4, White must play accurately. The position is double-edged with tactical possibilities. This is the most ambitious try for Black, seeking to prove the Philidor can be active, not just solid.
Antoshin Variation
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 exd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Be7 6.Be2 O-O 7.O-O c6
Black releases the central tension early and aims for a solid but slightly passive position. Named after Soviet master Vladimir Antoshin. The pawn on c6 supports ...d5 and provides structural solidity. This transposes to positions similar to the Scheveningen Sicilian but with slightly less dynamic potential for Black.
Philidor Gambit
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 f5
A wild and ambitious gambit where Black immediately seeks counterplay with ...f5. This aggressive approach was occasionally tried in the romantic era. After 4.exf5 or 4.dxe5, the position becomes sharp and tactical. Modern theory considers this dubious as White can obtain a clear advantage with accurate play, but it creates practical chances in blitz and rapid games.
Original research from 13,710 real amateur games — data you won't find anywhere else.
At 1200-1400
📊White's edge is +6.5% — White has a clear advantage at this level.
How This Opening Changes as You Improve
| Rating | Games | White's Edge |
|---|---|---|
| 800-1000 | 2,472 | +6.4%52 /0 /45 |
| 1000-1200 | 3,131 | +1.9%49 /0 /48 |
| 1200-1400 | 3,084 | +6.5%52 /0 /45 |
| 1400-1600 | 2,795 | +3.7%50 /0 /46 |
| 1600-1800 | 2,228 | +8.2%52 /0 /44 |
Based on 13,710 games · Updated March 2026
Why Play the Philidor Defense?
ठोस और सुरक्षित
फिलिडोर बहुत ही ठोस है और सफ़ेद के लिए काले की स्थिति को जल्दी तोड़ना मुश्किल हो सकता है।
मुख्य पंक्तियों से बचना
यह सफ़ेद को रयू लोपेज़ (Ruy Lopez) या इटैलियन गेम (Italian Game) जैसी मुख्य पंक्तियों से दूर रखता है, जहाँ सफ़ेद अधिक तैयार हो सकता है।
रणनीतिक समझ
यह तंग स्थितियों और स्थितिगत खेल की समझ विकसित करने में मदद करता है।
रणनीतिक शिक्षा
फिलिडोर आवश्यक रणनीतिक अवधारणाएं सिखाता है: कम जगह के साथ खेलना, धैर्यवान पैंतरेबाज़ी, और तंग स्थितियों का बचाव करना।
Common Traps
Watch out for these dangerous tactical pitfalls
Legal's Mate Pattern
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 d6 3.Bc4 Bg4? 4.Nc3 g6? 5.Nxe5! Bxd1?? 6.Bxf7+ Ke7 7.Nd5#
सफ़ेद बहुत आक्रामक हो जाता है और एक सामरिक त्रुटि करता है, या काला एक शुरुआती जाल में फंस जाता है। (उदाहरण: लीगल का जाल - Legal's Trap)
Central Breakthrough Trap
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 Nd7 4.Bc4 c6 5.O-O Be7 6.dxe5 dxe5? 7.Ng5! Nh6 8.Nxf7
Black carelessly recaptures on e5 with the pawn, opening the position prematurely. White's 7.Ng5! exploits the weakened kingside, threatening Nxf7 and Qh5+. If 7...Nh6 8.Nxf7, White wins material. Black should play 6...Nxe5 with the knight instead, keeping the position solid.
Fried Liver-Style Attack
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 Nf6? 4.dxe5 Nxe4 5.Qd5! Nc5 6.Bg5 Be7 7.exd6 cxd6 8.Nc3
If Black tries the premature Nimzowitsch Variation without proper preparation, White has 5.Qd5!, attacking f7 and e4 simultaneously. Black must defend awkwardly, and White gets a strong initiative. The position is complex but favorable for White. Black should prefer the solid 3...Nd7 Hanham setup.
Passive Piece Suffocation
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 Nd7 4.Bc4 c6 5.O-O Be7 6.dxe5 dxe5 7.Qe2 Ngf6 8.Rd1 Qc7 9.Ng5 O-O
If White tries to suffocate Black with pressure on f7, Black can safely castle out of danger.
Beginner Tips
तंग स्थितियों में खेलना सीखें और धैर्य रखें।
अपने राजा के पंख के ऊँट (kingside bishop) को विकसित करने के तरीकों पर ध्यान दें, जो अक्सर d6 प्यादे द्वारा अवरुद्ध होता है।
f5 अग्रिम की तैयारी करें, जो फिलिडोर में काले के लिए एक महत्वपूर्ण जवाबी हमला है।
Common Philidor Defense patterns we detect
We automatically check if you fall for these specific traps.
About the Philidor Defense
The Philidor Defense (1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 d6) is a solid but somewhat passive defense. Success requires active counterplay with ...f5 or ...c5 breaks.
We track your counterplay generation, timing of pawn breaks, and ability to create activity. We identify where solid becomes too passive.
openings.page.sections.keyThemes
openings.page.sections.notablePlayers
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Philidor Defense analysis
Famous Games
पॉल मोर्फी द्वारा खेला गया एक प्रसिद्ध गेम जहाँ उन्होंने फिलिडोर डिफेंस की कमज़ोरियों का शानदार ढंग से फायदा उठाया (सफ़ेद के रूप में)।
एक आधुनिक गेम जहाँ काले ने फिलिडोर डिफेंस की ठोस प्रकृति का सफलतापूर्वक उपयोग किया।
Danish GM Larsen, a Philidor advocate, demonstrated Black can win from the passive setup with patient play. Byrne overextended seeking to exploit Black's cramped position, and Larsen counterattacked effectively. This game proved the Philidor's resilience - solid positions can frustrate aggressive opponents into mistakes.
Sveshnikov, a lifelong Philidor practitioner, held a comfortable draw against the young French star Bacrot. The game showed modern defensive technique in the Philidor, with Black gradually equalizing through patient maneuvering. Sveshnikov's practical success with the opening inspired renewed interest in the 2000s.
Learning Resources
Explore Related Openings
Analyze other openings similar to the Philidor Defense
Ruy Lopez
The Spanish Torture awaits. See where you lose the thread in the most prestigious opening in chess.
Italian Game
Master the classical approach. Discover exactly where your Italian Game plans go wrong in real games.
Ponziani Opening
The forgotten 3.c3. See if this old weapon still surprises opponents.
How valuable was this analysis?
Ready to master your openings?
Get a complete breakdown of your play across all openings, not just the Philidor Defense.
No credit card required • Works with Chess.com