Chess Openings Lab
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Philidor Defense: Philidor Countergambit

The Philidor Countergambit is 3.d4 f5, where Black strikes at e4 with the f-pawn instead of defending e5. White has several strong replies, with 4.Bc4 the most testing, while Black hopes the open f-file gives counterplay.

Moves
1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 f5
ECO
C41
Engine
+1.94 · a large advantage for White (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
Played
736 games in our lichess sample
White scores
50.7%

Key ideas for both sides

White

  • Play 4.Bc4 to hit the weak a2-g8 diagonal, then Ng5 to aim at e6 and f7.
  • After 4.exf5 Bxf5 take on e5 and pin the c6 knight with Bb5.
  • In the 4.dxe5 line, use Ng5 and e6 to break up Black's position.
  • Use d5 to close the center once the light squares are weakened.

Black

  • After 4.Bc4, develop with ...Nc6 and ...Nh6 to cover f7 and e6.
  • Answer 4.exf5 with ...Bxf5 and develop quickly with ...Nc6.
  • Against 4.dxe5, take on e4 and play ...d5 to build a center.
  • Do not leave the king in the center with the f-file open.

Plans and pawn structure

Black's ...f5 weakens e6 and the g8 square, and White's pieces target them. With 4.Bc4, White plays Ng5, d5 and Nc3, and the center locks with Black cramped. With 4.exf5, White gains space and pins with Bb5. Black's counterplay comes from the f-file and a kingside pawn push, but it is slow.

Where the engine's main line heads: Locked center: d5–e4 against d6–e5. A locked center: White's d5 and e4 against Black's d6 and e5. The game moves to the wings, where each side attacks where its pawns point.

What the engine plays from here

Stockfish 17.1 at depth 20 rates the position +1.94: a large advantage for White. Its three top choices for White:

  1. +1.94 4.Bc4 Nc6 5.Ng5 Nh6 6.d5 Ne7
  2. +1.77 4.exf5 Bxf5 5.dxe5 Nc6 6.Bb5 dxe5
  3. +1.37 4.dxe5 fxe4 5.Ng5 d5 6.e6 Nf6

Pawns, from White's side.

How it scores on lichess

736 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 50.7%.

under 120056.1%
1200–159949.6%
1600–199951.3%
2000 and up40.4%

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

Where it goes next

  • Philidor Countergambit, Zukertort Variation4.Nc3 · rare
  • Lopez Countergambit, Jaenisch Variation4.Bc4 · rare
  • Philidor Countergambit, Berger Variation4.dxe5 · rare

How to play against it

As White, play 4.Bc4 and follow with Ng5. Close the center with d5 when it shuts Black's pieces out. Do not allow ...fxe4 to open the f-file while your king is in the center.

Questions

What are the moves of the Philidor Defense: Philidor Countergambit?

The Philidor Defense: Philidor Countergambit starts 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 f5. Its ECO code is C41.

Is the Philidor Defense: Philidor Countergambit good for Black?

Stockfish 17.1 rates the position +1.94 at depth 20, which is a large advantage for White. In 736 lichess games from our sample, White scored 50.7%. A dubious gambit for Black that works mostly as a surprise, while White needs only to know the Bc4 and Ng5 plan.

What is the main idea of the Philidor Defense: Philidor Countergambit?

Black plays ...f5 to strike at e4, weakening e6 and f7. White answers with Bc4 and Ng5, gaining a lasting edge on the light squares.

What should White play next?

The engine's first choice is Bc4, with exf5 and dxe5 close behind. 4.Bc4 targets the weakened a2-g8 diagonal and prepares Ng5.

Updated October 2026. Sources and method.