Philidor Defense: Hanham Variation, Steiner Variation

An entry in the Encyclopedia of Chess Openings (ECO C41), reached after 11 half-moves: 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 Nd7 4. Bc4 c6 5. O-O Be7 6. dxe5.

Black rook — Use ← → arrows or click moves to step through.

Black bishop — Use ← → arrows or click moves to step through.

End of this line

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

About this opening

Philidor Defense: Hanham Variation, Steiner 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 11 half-moves from the starting position, with the move sequence 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 Nd7 4. Bc4 c6 5. O-O Be7 6. dxe5.

It belongs to the Philidor Defense family. Within that family this is a level-2 branch (the Hanham Variation → Steiner Variation line). The immediate parent line is Philidor Defense: Hanham Variation, transitioned via 6.dxe5.

The opening sequence in prose form: 1.e4 e5, 2.Nf3 d6, 3.d4 Nd7, 4.Bc4 c6, 5.O-O Be7, 6.dxe5. 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.