← Philidor Defense

Practice: Hanham Variation

The solid modern approach

Black develops the knight to d7, keeping e5 defended. The Hanham Variation is the modern main line of the Philidor, leading to rich positional play with both sides having clear plans.

1. e4 e5
2. Nf3 d6
3. d4 Nd7
4. Bc4 c6
5. Nc3 Be7
6. O-O Ngf6
7. a4 O-O
♟

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Key strategic ideas

  • Black defends the e5 pawn with ...d6, keeping a solid but solid pawn chain. The position remains closed, limiting White's attacking chances.
  • Black often aims for ...f5 (Philidor Counter-Gambit) or ...Nbd7 with eventual ...c6 to challenge White's centre.
  • The Philidor is often used by players who want to avoid the heaviest theory of the Ruy Lopez or Italian Game.

Common mistakes & traps

  • The Philidor Counter-Gambit (3...f5) is a double-edged weapon. If White plays 4.exf5 e4, Black gets the e4 wedge and active pieces. White should meet it with 4.Nc3 or 4.Bc4.
  • The famous "Philidor's Legacy" is a smothered mate pattern that can arise in Philidor-like structures.

Pawn structure notes

The Philidor structure features pawns on d6 and e5 for Black against White's e4 and d4. Black's position is solid but cramped, with the d6-pawn supporting e5 and limiting White's piece placement.

Tips

  • 3...Nd7 avoids the exchanges that occur after 3...exd4 and keeps more pieces on the board
  • Black builds a solid structure with ...c6, ...Be7, and ...Ngf6
  • The Hanham is named after the American master John Hanham who championed it in the late 1800s

About this line

This line is rated intermediate. Practice it repeatedly until you can play the entire sequence without thinking. The in-app trainer tracks your perfect streaks and celebrates milestones.