Chess Openings·Philidor Defence

Open Game

Philidor Defence

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 d6

Step through

4 / 4
  1. 1.
  2. 2.

Tap a move to jump to that position.

A sturdy set-up that waits for the opponent to overreach. Pawns lock into each other, the lines shut and the game runs long. Of the four central squares, pawns stand on e4 · e5. Nothing has been captured yet. Neither side has castled yet.

The position

Length
4 moves
To move
White
Legal replies
27
Minor pieces out
White 1 · Black 0
Material
level
Castling rights left
KQkq
FEN
rnbqkbnr/ppp2ppp/3p4/4p3/4P3/5N2/PPPP1PPP/RNBQKB1R w KQkq - 0 3

Move by move

Each move spelled out: which piece went from where to where.

  1. 1.e4White: Pawn e2e4
  2. 1e5Black: Pawn e7e5
  3. 2.Nf3White: Knight g1f3
  4. 2d6Black: Pawn d7d6

Nearby lines

first 4 moves shared

Common questions

Q. What are the moves of Philidor Defence?

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 d6

Q. Which family does it belong to?

Open Game — Everything that starts 1.e4 e5.

Q. Who is to move next?

After 4 moves it is White to move.