Philidor's Defence arises after 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 d6. ECO code: C41.

History

Named after François-André Danican Philidor (1726–1795), the greatest chess player of his era. The defence featured in the famous "Opera Game" (1858) between Paul Morphy and two strong amateurs. It declined in popularity as positional chess evolved, nearly vanishing by World War I.

Main Lines

• 3.d4 exd4 – Exchanging, the most common approach.

• 3.d4 Nd7 – The Hanham Variation, creating "a strongpoint defence of e5."

• 3.d4 f5 – The Philidor Countergambit, Philidor's original recommendation, considered dubious.

Strategic Themes & Plans

Black maintains the e5-pawn solidly with ...d6 but restricts the dark-squared bishop behind the d6-pawn. The defence is "a solid but passive choice for Black" and is rarely seen at the highest levels. Its popularity has increased in rapid, blitz, and bullet formats.