Philidor's Defence

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d6

This is the strong point defence reduced to its essentials. It has the outstanding merit of that type of game - solidity - and it has its outstanding demerit - lack of mobility.

Black must be on his guard against a number of traps, all based on the weakness of f7and his cramped king position. On the normal course 3. d4 Bg4? e.g., leads to the loss of a pawn after 4. dxe5 Bxf3 5. Qxf3 dxe5 6. Bc4 Nf6 7. Qb3 etc. Likewise on 3. d4 Nd7 4. Bc4 Be7 5. dxe5 dxe5 6. Qd5 is immediate disastrous.

But the defender can avoid all the traps and secure a tenable though passive position with 3. d4 Nd7 4. Bc4 c6 5. Nc3 Be7 6. O-O Ngf6 7. a4 O-O 8. Qe2 h6 9. Bb3 Qc7 10. h3 Kh7 11. Be3 g6 12. Rad1.

The two prophylactic moves 7. a4 and 10. h3 have been stressed because they illustrate the all-important principle that by depriving the enemy of counter-play, a cramped but sound position such as Black's here has all the life taken out of it and is reduced to pure passivity.

Black may follow one of two lines to get some counterplay: after due preparation ... exd4 and pressure on the White e-pawn, or manoeuvre his Knight to f4. White can proceed by opening some lines (especially with f4) and securing an attack. All told, such positions offer the defender little promise against a person equipped with modern technique.

One of the chief merits of the defence is that it is rather difficult for White to form a good plan right after the opening in view of Black's lack of obvious weaknesses. One worthwile idea is the fianchetto of the Queen Bishop, in order to hammer away at the d-pawn. Another, as mentioned, is playing f4 early.

The abandonment of the centre with 3.... exd4 is sometimes seen, but nevertheless bad, since Black gets nothing in return. White can recapture with either Knight of Queen and secures an ideal development.

Finally, it should be noted that if White does not harass the Black centre with 3. d4, the second player can secure good counter-chances with the natural 3. ... f5? is shown to be premature by 4. Nc3! Nf6 5. dxe5 Nxe4 6. Nxe4 fxe4 7. Ng5 d5 8. e6 Bc5 9. Nxe4!

Below are some of example of games:

Game 1

[Event "Pablo Gorbea mem 6th"]
[Site "Madrid"]
[Date "2002.09.20"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Martinez Miura, Enrique"]
[Black "Maresca Martinez, Pablo"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C41"]
[PlyCount "17"]
[EventDate "2002.09.16"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2002.11.06"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 Bg4 4. dxe5 Bxf3 5. Qxf3 dxe5 6. Bc4 Nf6 7. Qb3 Qd7 8.
Qxb7 Qc6 9. Bb5 1-0




Game 2

[Event "RUS-Cup03"]
[Site "Tomsk"]
[Date "2002.07.12"]
[Round "5"]
[White "Nebolsina, Vera"]
[Black "Zakharenko, Irina"]
[Result "1-0"]
[ECO "C41"]
[WhiteElo "2038"]
[PlyCount "17"]
[EventDate "2002.07.08"]
[Source "ChessBase"]
[SourceDate "2002.09.11"]

1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 Nd7 4. Bc4 Be7 5. dxe5 dxe5 6. Qd5 Nc5 7. Qxf7+ Kd7 8.
Nxe5+ Kd6 9. Qd5# 1-0