Philidor Defense: Lion Variation, Shirov Gambit

An entry in the Encyclopedia of Chess Openings (ECO C41), reached after 9 half-moves: 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 Nd7 4. Nc3 Ngf6 5. g4.

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: Lion Variation, Shirov Gambit 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 9 half-moves from the starting position, with the move sequence 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 Nd7 4. Nc3 Ngf6 5. g4.

It belongs to the Philidor Defense family. Within that family this is a level-2 branch (the Lion Variation → Shirov Gambit line). The immediate parent line is Philidor Defense: Lion Variation, transitioned via 5.g4.

The opening sequence in prose form: 1.e4 e5, 2.Nf3 d6, 3.d4 Nd7, 4.Nc3 Ngf6, 5.g4. 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.