Chess Openings·Philidor Defence, Exchange Variation

Open Game

Philidor Defence, Exchange Variation

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 exd4 4.Nxd4

Step through

7 / 7
  1. 1.
  3. 2.
  5. 3.
  7. 4.

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. 2 pieces have left the board. Neither side has castled yet.

The position

Length
7 moves
To move
Black
Legal replies
32
Minor pieces out
White 1 · Black 0
Material
level
Castling rights left
KQkq
FEN
rnbqkbnr/ppp2ppp/3p4/8/3NP3/8/PPP2PPP/RNBQKB1R b KQkq - 0 4

Move by move

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

  1. 1.e4White: Pawn e2→e4
  2. 1…e5Black: Pawn e7→e5
  3. 2.Nf3White: Knight g1→f3
  4. 2…d6Black: Pawn d7→d6
  5. 3.d4White: Pawn d2→d4
  6. 3…exd4Black: Pawn e5→d4 (capture)
  7. 4.Nxd4White: Knight f3→d4 (capture)

Nearby lines

first 5 moves shared

Philidor Defence, Hanham Variation…Nd7Philidor Defence…e5 Nf3 d6Petrov Defence…Nf6Latvian Gambit…f5Elephant Gambit…d5Damiano Defence…f6

Common questions

Q. What are the moves of Philidor Defence, Exchange Variation?

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 exd4 4.Nxd4

Q. Which family does it belong to?

Open Game — Everything that starts 1.e4 e5.

Q. Who is to move next?

After 7 moves it is Black to move.