Philidor Defense: Nimzowitsch Variation

An entry in the Encyclopedia of Chess Openings (ECO C41), reached after 6 half-moves: 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 Nf6.

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

Continue from this position

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4.dxe5 2 lines
- C41 Rellstab Variation
- C41 Sokolsky Variation
4.Bc4 1 line
- C41 Klein Variation

About this opening

Philidor Defense: Nimzowitsch 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 6 half-moves from the starting position, with the move sequence 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 Nf6.

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

The opening sequence in prose form: 1.e4 e5, 2.Nf3 d6, 3.d4 Nf6. From this position 2 named continuations are recorded in the encyclopaedia, each leading to a distinct theoretical line.