Library/Openings/Philidor Defense/Lion Variation/Bishop Sacrifice ECO C41
Opening· 11 plies

Philidor Defense: Lion Variation, Bishop Sacrifice

An entry in the Encyclopedia of Chess Openings (ECO C41), reached after 11 half-moves: 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 Nf6 4. Nc3 Nbd7 5. Bc4 Be7 6. Bxf7+.

Philidor Defense: Lion Variation, Bishop Sacrifice ECO C41
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Black rook
Black bishop
Black queen
Black king
Black rook
Black pawn
Black pawn
Black pawn
Black knight
Black bishop
White bishop
Black pawn
Black pawn
Black pawn
Black knight
Black pawn
White pawn
White pawn
White knight
White knight
White pawn
White pawn
White pawn
White pawn
White pawn
White pawn
White rook
White bishop
White queen
White king
White rook
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  5. 3.
  7. 4.
  9. 5.
  11. 6.
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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: Lion Variation, Bishop Sacrifice 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 Nf6 4. Nc3 Nbd7 5. Bc4 Be7 6. Bxf7+.

It belongs to the Philidor Defense family. Within that family this is a level-2 branch (the Lion Variation → Bishop Sacrifice line). The immediate parent line is Philidor Defense: Lion Variation, transitioned via 6.Bxf7+.

The opening sequence in prose form: 1.e4 e5, 2.Nf3 d6, 3.d4 Nf6, 4.Nc3 Nbd7, 5.Bc4 Be7, 6.Bxf7+. 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.