Chess opening · ECO C41

Philidor Defense: Hanham Variation

The Philidor Defense: Hanham Variation starts 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 Nd7. It ranks #149 of the 174 openings on this site by how often rated players on Lichess reach it.

The position after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 Nd7. White to move.

Move by move

  1. 1. e4White pushes the e-pawn two squares to e4, staking a claim in the center.
  2. 1... e5Black pushes the e-pawn two squares to e5, staking a claim in the center.
  3. 2. Nf3White develops the kingside knight to f3.
  4. 2... d6Black advances the d-pawn to d6.
  5. 3. d4White pushes the d-pawn two squares to d4, staking a claim in the center.
  6. 3... Nd7Black develops the queenside knight to d7.

What players choose next, by rating

The three most common White moves from this position in rated Lichess games, grouped by the rating of the player making the move. Among players rated 1200–1399, the most popular next move is dxe5; among players rated 2000 and up, it is Bc4.

RatingMost commonSecondThird
1200–1399dxe5 53%d5 29%Bc4 18%
1400–1599dxe5 47%d5 28%Bc4 14%
1600–1799dxe5 64%Bc4 17%d5 9%
1800–1999dxe5 42%Bc4 38%Nc3 16%
2000 and upBc4 48%Nc3 27%dxe5 15%

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