Library/Openings/Philidor Defense/Berger Variation ECO C41
Opening· 19 plies

Philidor Defense: Berger Variation

An entry in the Encyclopedia of Chess Openings (ECO C41), reached after 19 half-moves: 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 exd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 Be7 6. Be2 O-O 7. O-O c5 8. Nf3 Nc6 9. Bg5 Be6 10. Re1.

Philidor Defense: Berger Variation ECO C41
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Black rook
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End of this line

No further variations branch from this position in our database. To explore neighbouring ideas:

About this opening

Philidor Defense: Berger Variation is an opening in the Encyclopedia of Chess Openings, classified under code C41. ECO group C (C00–C99) covers open games (1.e4 e5) and the French Defence, including the Ruy Lopez, Italian, Scotch and King's Gambit. This particular variation is reached after 19 half-moves from the starting position, with the move sequence 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 exd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 Be7 6. Be2 O-O 7. O-O c5 8. Nf3 Nc6 9. Bg5 Be6 10. Re1.

It belongs to the Philidor Defense family. Within that family this is a sub-variation (the Berger Variation line).

The opening sequence in prose form: 1.e4 e5, 2.Nf3 d6, 3.d4 exd4, 4.Nxd4 Nf6, 5.Nc3 Be7, 6.Be2 O-O. From this position the encyclopaedia records no further canonical continuations — practical play branches into unnamed transpositions or returns to the parent line for alternative ideas.