Bishop's Opening: Philidor Variation
The Philidor Variation is 3.c3 after 2...Bc5, preparing d4 to gain a tempo on the c5 bishop and build a full pawn center. Black answers with an active ...d5 or ...Nf6, striking first before White's d4 lands.
- Moves
- 1.e4 e5 2.Bc4 Bc5 3.c3
- ECO
- C23
- Engine
- −0.03 · level (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
- Played
- 554 games in our lichess sample
- White scores
- 50.6%
Key ideas for both sides
White
- d4 is the follow-up: with c3 backing it, White wants pawns on d4 and e4 and the c5 bishop pushed back.
- Against ...Nc6, b4 and a4 gain queenside space and chase the bishop, as the third engine line shows.
- After ...Nf6 and d4, e5 kicks the knight, a typical Italian-style central push.
Black
- ...d5 hits back in the center at once; after Bxd5 and ...Nf6, Black gets quick development and the check ...Bb4+.
- ...Nf6 attacks e4 and invites d4, then ...d5 and ...Ne4 put a knight in the center.
- ...Nc6 is quieter: answer b4 with ...Bb6 and a4 with ...a6 to keep the bishop safe.
Plans and pawn structure
White's whole idea is d4 with a big center, so Black must hit the center first. After ...d5 the game opens: White's pieces aim at f7 and Black's bishop gets checks on b4. After ...Nf6 and the e5 push, White gains space and Black's knight goes to e4 with counterplay against f2 and c3. In the quiet ...Nc6 lines both sides maneuver, and White's queenside pawns become an asset.
What the engine plays from here
Stockfish 17.1 at depth 20 rates the position −0.03: level. Its three top choices for Black:
- −0.03 3...d5 4.Bxd5 Nf6 5.d4 exd4 6.cxd4
- +0.11 3...Nf6 4.d4 exd4 5.e5 d5 6.Bb3
- +0.26 3...Nc6 4.b4 Bb6 5.a4 a6 6.Nf3
Pawns, from White's side.
How it scores on lichess
554 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 50.6%.
Light: White wins. Grey: draws. Dark: Black wins. About the sample.
Where it goes next
- Lewis Countergambit, Walker Variation3...d5 · rare
- del Rio Variation3...Qg5 · rare
- Pratt Variation3...Nf6 · rare
How to play against it
As Black, strike before d4 is ready: ...d5 or ...Nf6 are both active. Avoid slow moves like ...d6 that let White play d4 and gain a tempo on your bishop. If White gets b4 and a4, keep the bishop on a safe diagonal with ...a6.
Questions
What are the moves of the Bishop's Opening: Philidor Variation?
The Bishop's Opening: Philidor Variation starts 1.e4 e5 2.Bc4 Bc5 3.c3. Its ECO code is C23.
Is the Bishop's Opening: Philidor Variation good for White?
Stockfish 17.1 rates the position −0.03 at depth 20, which is level. In 554 lichess games from our sample, White scored 50.6%. A principled try for White players who like central space; Black is fine with an active reply but must not drift.
What is the main idea of the Bishop's Opening: Philidor Variation?
White prepares d4 with c3 to build a big center and gain time on the c5 bishop. Black should strike first with ...d5 or ...Nf6 to keep the center open.
What should Black play next?
The engine's first choice is d5, with Nf6 and Nc6 close behind. 3...d5 counterattacks at once, opening the center before White's d4 is ready.
Related lines
Updated October 2026. Sources and method.