The Philidor Defence is a chess opening characterised by the moves:
- 1. e4 e5
- 2. Nf3 d6
It is named after the famous 18th-century player François-André Danican Philidor, who advocated it as an alternative to the common 2...Nc6. His original idea was to challenge White's centre by the pawn thrust ...f7–f5.
Today, the Philidor Defence is known as a solid, though passive choice for Black, and is seldom seen in top-level play except as an alternative to the heavily analysed openings which can ensue after the normal 2...Nc6.
The ECO code for Philidor Defence is C41.
Read more about Philidor Defence: Use, Lines Starting 3.d4, Line Starting 3.Bc4
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“Mankind have such a deep stake in inward illumination, that there is much to be said by the hermit or monk in defence of his life of thought and prayer.”
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