Philidor Defense: Hanham, Lion, and Shirov Gambit
Philidor Defense
Definition
The Philidor Defense is a classical reply to 1.e4 that begins 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 d6. Black immediately reinforces the e5-pawn instead of developing a minor piece, aiming for a solid but somewhat passive set-up named after the 18th-century French master François-André Danican Philidor (“Pawns are the soul of chess”). ECO code: C41.
Typical Move Order
- 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 d6 – the defining moves
- 3.d4 – the most principled reaction; White claims the center
- 3…Nf6 4.Nc3 Nbd7 – the starting position of the modern “Philidor setup.”
Strategic Ideas
- Solid Shield: By supporting the e5-pawn with d6, Black erects a “pawn phalanx” (d6-e5) that is hard to break, but it also blocks the c8-bishop.
- Piece Play over Center Occupation: Black often cedes space, relying on piece coordination, breaks with …c6 & …d5, or kingside counterplay with …f5 in the Antoshin line.
- Flexibility: Black can transpose into the Pirc, the Hanham or Lion systems, or even the Philidor Counter-Gambit (…f5).
Historical Significance
Although mentioned by Greco, the opening was first systematically analyzed by Philidor in 1749. It was a mainstay of 19th-century defensive technique (e.g., Löwenthal, Harrwitz) but fell from top-level favor once more dynamic defenses (e.g., the Open Games with 2…Nc6) became fashionable. A modern revival came through Evgeny Bareev, Igor Glek and Leonid Ivashin in the 1990s, who showed that Black could reach unbalanced middlegames with accurate play.
Example Game
M. Botvinnik – E. Glek, Moscow 1995 (rapid)
Glek used the edgy 3…f5 counter-gambit to neutralize the world champion’s preparation and eventually drew.
Interesting Facts
- Philidor himself rarely played the defense that bears his name; he preferred open games with 2…Nc6.
- The U.S. Grandmaster Larry Christiansen calls the modern Philidor “a Pirc with the c-pawn still on c7.”
- AlphaZero’s self-play experiments occasionally chose Philidor structures, lending fresh computer-age credibility to the system.
Hanham (Hanham Variation of the Philidor)
Definition
The Hanham Variation arises when Black chooses a very solid piece arrangement against 1.e4 e5: 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 Nf6 4.Nc3 Nbd7. Named after the English master Arthur Hanham (1850-1920), it is sometimes dubbed the “Closed Philidor.”
Key Position
After 5.Bc4 Be7 6.O-O O-O Black typically reaches:
Diagram in words: Black pawns: a7, b7, c7, d6, e5, f7, g7, h7. Black pieces: King g8, Queen d8, Rooks a8/f8, Knights f6/d7, Bishops c8/e7. White enjoys more space, but Black’s camp is rock solid.
Strategic Themes
- “Triangle” Fortress: …e5-d6-c7 and knights on f6/d7 form a compact zone that is hard to breach.
- Delayed Counterbreaks: Black waits for the right moment to strike with …c6-d5 or …f5.
- Bishop Liberation: The c8-bishop often reroutes via f8 to g7 (after …g6) or to h6 to exchange White’s key dark-square bishop.
Model Game
Karpov – Nunn, Tilburg 1987
Karpov pressed for 40 moves, but Nunn’s Hanham wall held firm. A timely …d5 break equalized.
Why Play It?
- Simplified Repertoire: The same basic structure works against both 3.d4 and quieter lines.
- Tactical Traps: Premature central pushes by White can backfire due to Black’s latent …d5 fork ideas.
- Psychological Edge: Many 1.e4 players dislike maneuvering battles and over-extend early.
Fun Anecdote
GM Vladimir Kramnik used the Hanham as a drawing weapon in the 1994 Moscow “Intel Grand Prix,” joking afterwards that it was “the Berlin Defense before the Berlin became fashionable.”
Lion (“Lion Defense” or “Lion System”)
Definition
The Lion is a combative off-shoot of the Philidor in which Black quickly develops the dark-square bishop to e7 and keeps the king in the center until the position clarifies. Two common move orders:
- Philidor route: 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 Nf6 4.Nc3 Nbd7 5.Bc4 Be7.
- “Late Philidor”: 1.e4 d6 2.d4 Nf6 3.Nc3 e5 4.Nf3 Nbd7 5.Bc4 Be7.
Visualizing the Lion’s “Mane”
The pawn chain d6-e5 resembles the head of a crouching lion, while the pieces behind (…Nbd7, …Be7, …c6, …Qc7) form the mane ready to spring with …g5 or …d5.
Main Strategic Plans
- King’s-side Ambush: Black often plays …h6 and …g5 to harass the f4-knight and launch an attack.
- Central Break: If White over-expands, …d5 can explode the center, unleashing the “lion’s roar.”
- Piece-Play: Knights hop to f4/e5/c5, bishops eye h4-e1 diagonals, and the queen swings to a5 or h4.
Illustrative Game
Sosonko – Van der Wiel, Dutch Ch. 1984
Black’s Lion pounced with …g5-g4, tearing open White’s king and winning in 27 moves.
Interesting Facts
- The name “Lion” was popularised by Dutch IM Hans Bakker in the early 2000s; his club newsletter featured a roaring-lion logo next to analysis notes.
- Despite its aggressive reputation, the system often transposes to sedate Hanham-style positions if Black omits …g5.
- It is a favourite surprise weapon of blitz specialists because the plans (…g5 or …d5) are easy to remember.
Shirov Gambit (Philidor: Shirov Gambit)
Definition
The Shirov Gambit is a sharp sacrificial line against the Antoshin Variation of the Philidor: 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 Bg4 4.dxe5!? Here White deliberately gives up a pawn (after 4…Bxf3 5.Qxf3 dxe5) for rapid development and attacking chances. The idea was refined and championed by Latvian tactician GM Alexei Shirov in the 1990s.
Critical Line
- 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 Bg4 4.dxe5 Bxf3
- 5.Qxf3 dxe5 6.Bc4 Nf6 7.Qb3 Qd7 8.Nc3 c6 9.Bg5 b5 – unbalanced play with opposite-side castling looming.
Strategic & Tactical Motifs
- Lead in Development: White’s pieces (bishops on c4 & g5, queen on b3, knight on c3) swarm toward f7 and the dark squares.
- King in the Centre: Black often delays castling; any misstep can result in a swift mating attack (Ng5, 0-0-0, f4-f5, etc.).
- Pawn Minority: Black’s extra e-pawn is difficult to exploit while under fire.
Historical Highlight
Shirov – Piket, Wijk aan Zee 1996
Shirov uncorked a novelty (9.Bg5!) and finished with a brilliant queen sacrifice, forcing mate on move 26 – the game that gave the gambit its name.
Practical Tips for Both Sides
- White: Castle quickly (usually long), keep pieces active, and look for sacrifices on f7 or e6.
- Black: Return the pawn if necessary (…c6-d5 break), develop with tempo (…Bb4+), and avoid queen excursions that fall into discovered attacks.
Trivia
- Shirov once commented that the line is “objectively risky but practically murderous” in rapid and blitz.
- Engines initially disliked 4.dxe5, but modern neural-net engines such as Leela have revised the evaluation to “unclear,” increasing its popularity.
- Several correspondence games have shown that Black can equalize with best play, yet over-the-board results still heavily favour White.