Chess Openings Lab
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Philidor Defense: Larsen Variation

The Larsen Variation is 3.d4 exd4 4.Nxd4 g6, where Black follows the exchange with a kingside fianchetto. White wants Nc3, Be3, Qd2, f3 and possibly long castling, while Black uses the g7 bishop against the d4 knight and the long diagonal.

Moves
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 exd4 4.Nxd4 g6
ECO
C41
Engine
+0.93 · a clear edge for White (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
Played
414 games in our lichess sample
White scores
56.2%

Key ideas for both sides

White

  • Develop with 5.Nc3, then Be3 and Qd2 to prepare Bh6 and trade off Black's key bishop.
  • Play f3 to stop ...Ng4 and support a later g4 and h4 kingside storm.
  • If Black's knight jumps to g4, answer with Bf4, as the engine line shows, keeping the bishop.
  • Castle long and push h4-h5 to open the h-file against a short-castled black king.

Black

  • Develop with ...Nf6 and ...Bg7, then castle short; the g7 bishop hits the d4 knight.
  • Use ...Ng4 to harass the e3 bishop, then return to e5 where the knight eyes c4 and f3.
  • Strike with ...c5 or ...d5 when White's pieces are committed to the kingside.
  • Bring the queen's knight to c6 to add more pressure against d4.

Plans and pawn structure

This structure resembles a Dragon-like position: White has e4 against d6, with Black's bishop on g7. White plays Nc3, Be3, Qd2, f3 and often O-O-O, then g4, h4 and Bh6. Black castles short, plays ...Nc6, a rook to e8 and ...Ne5, and counters on the queenside or in the center with ...d5. Both sides race; precise move orders matter.

What the engine plays from here

Stockfish 17.1 at depth 20 rates the position +0.93: a clear edge for White. Its three top choices for White:

  1. +0.93 5.Nc3 Nf6 6.Be3 Ng4 7.Bf4 Bg7
  2. +0.86 5.Be3 Nf6 6.Nc3 Ng4 7.Bf4 Bg7
  3. +0.65 5.f3 Bg7 6.Nc3 Ne7 7.h4 d5

Pawns, from White's side.

How it scores on lichess

414 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 56.2%.

1200–159951.4%
1600–199959.1%
2000 and up58.9%

Light: White wins. Grey: draws. Dark: Black wins. About the sample.

How to play against it

As White, play Nc3, Be3, Qd2 and f3, then decide on long castling. Avoid Be3 without f3 if ...Ng4 is coming. Trade the g7 bishop with Bh6 when possible. Against an early ...d5, open the center and use your lead.

Questions

What are the moves of the Philidor Defense: Larsen Variation?

The Philidor Defense: Larsen Variation starts 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 exd4 4.Nxd4 g6. Its ECO code is C41.

Is the Philidor Defense: Larsen Variation good for Black?

Stockfish 17.1 rates the position +0.93 at depth 20, which is a clear edge for White. In 414 lichess games from our sample, White scored 56.2%. A fighting choice for Black players who like Dragon-style positions, but it demands accuracy against White's attacking setup.

What is the main idea of the Philidor Defense: Larsen Variation?

Black combines the Philidor exchange with a fianchetto. White sets up Nc3, Be3, Qd2 and f3 with a possible kingside storm, while Black uses the g7 bishop, ...Ne5 and central breaks for counterplay.

What should White play next?

The engine's first choice is Nc3, with Be3 and f3 close behind. 5.Nc3 develops and protects e4, keeping all of White's Be3-Qd2 plans flexible.

Updated October 2026. Sources and method.