Opening name: Philidor Defence
Opening line: 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d6
Lichess Board
Wikibooks Page
Winning percentages
White: 2491 (40.94%)
Black: 1515 (24.9%)
Draws: 2079 (34.17%)
2... d6 Philidor Defence
The Black fortress is solid. White should not wait before attacking it, because Black can play 3...f5 if White plays a passive move, which would definitely equalize.
The best move is probably 3. d4. White threatens a queen exchange with dxe5 dxe5 Qxd8+ Kxd8 and Black can forget about castling. It puts pressure on the center and the Black fortress may collapse at any time.
Another possibility is 3. Bc4 leading to a more positional game, playable for both camps.
Most popular responses
3. Bc4 (Philidor Defence) Lichess Analysis - Wikibooks (57301572 games)
3. d4 (Philidor Defence) Lichess Analysis - Wikibooks (39696041 games)
Engine Evaluation
Depth: 47
Score: +0.53
Best Move: d4
PV Line: 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 exd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 Be7 6. g3 Nc6 7. Nxc6 bxc6
Historical games for Philidor Defence
| Game | Result | Year |
| Dominguez Perez, Leinier (2758) vs Carlsen, Magnus (2863) | 0-1 | 2020 |
| Karjakin, Sergey (2752) vs Carlsen, M.. (2862) | 1-0 | 2020 |
| Carlsen, Magnus (2837) vs Mamedyarov, Shakhriyar (2726) | 0-1 | 2012 |
| Carlsen, Magnus (2863) vs Dubov, Daniil (2699) | 0-1 | 2020 |
| Grischuk, Alexander (2784) vs Dubov, Daniil (2770) | 0-1 | 2020 |
| Aronian, L.. (2781) vs Mamedyarov, S.. (2770) | 0-1 | 2021 |
| Nepomniachtchi, Ian (2784) vs Giri, Anish (2764) | 1/2-1/2 | 2020 |
| Anand, Viswanathan (2792) vs Aronian, Levon (2752) | 1-0 | 2006 |
| Vachier Lagrave, M.. (2758) vs Mamedyarov, S.. (2770) | 1-0 | 2021 |
| Nakamura, Hi (2736) vs Mamedyarov, S.. (2770) | 1/2-1/2 | 2021 |