Philidor Defense: Hanham Schlechter Variation
Philidor Defense – Hanham, Schlechter Variation
Definition
The Hanham–Schlechter line is a branch of the Philidor Defense that arises after 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 Nf6 4.Nc3 Nbd7 5.Bc4 Be7 6.O-O O-O 7.Re1 c6. In other words, it is the classical Hanham set-up (…Nbd7 and …Be7) reinforced by the early Schlechter idea of …c6, keeping the position compact and preparing …d5 or …b5 at a convenient moment.
Typical Position
Strategic Themes
- The Dark-Square Chain – d6–e5 is over-protected by …Nbd7, …Qc7 and …Re8. Black strives to keep the chain intact until a well-timed …d5 break equalises.
- The Philidor “Shuffle” – after …Qc7, …Re8, Black often retreats …Bf8 and even …h6 to tighten the king’s cover before counter-punching.
- Space vs. Solidity – White enjoys more room, while Black banks on a fault-free structure and simple, universal plans.
- …c6! – Schlechter’s signature move: • blocks Nb5 and Nd5, • prepares …d5, • gives the queen a safe c7-square, • supports a future …b5 expansion.
Historical Note
Austrian grandmaster Carl Schlechter (1874-1918) adopted the Hanham set-up throughout his career. His refinement …c6 scored so well that contemporary annotators began calling the whole system the Schlechter Variation. He used it, for instance, to defeat Géza Maróczy in Vienna 1903 and to draw comfortably with Emanuel Lasker in their famous 1910 match game 5.
Plans for Each Side
- Black
- Finish development: …Qc7, …Re8, sometimes …Bf8-g7.
- Break with …d5 when the centre is ready or undermine with …b5.
- Maintain piece co-ordination; avoid premature exchanges that liberate White’s pieces.
- White
- Exploit space: place a knight on f5 or d5 before …c6 is solid.
- Pressure the e-pawn with c2-c3 followed by dxe5.
- Prepare kingside expansions (h3–g4–g5) to exploit Black’s withdrawn minor pieces.
Illustrative Game
Carl Schlechter – Géza Maróczy, Vienna 1903 (Notes abridged)
Schlechter reaches his trademark structure after move 14, then breaks with …d5 at the right moment. White’s extra space collapses and the Austrian converts in a fine technical style.
Common Tactical Motifs
- The “g-Pawn Grab” – After 5.g4?! (Goglidze attempt) Nxg4! 6.Rg1 Ngf6 Black’s extra pawn often survives because the Schlechter set-up keeps the king remarkably safe.
- Philidor Squeeze – If White plays dxe5 too early, the exchange clears lines for Black pieces without granting real advantage.
- Outpost Vigilance – Black must watch Nb5-d6 or Nf5 sacrifices; prophylactic …c6 and …h6 are almost automatic.
Interesting Facts
- Modern marketing rebaptised the entire Hanham complex as the “Black Lion”; most lines eventually transpose to Schlechter’s move order.
- In Vienna 1908 a thematic event banned the Hanham Variation because local masters felt it was “too drawish.”
- Although rare in classical chess today, Grandmasters Etienne Bacrot, Liviu-Dieter Nisipeanu and even Magnus Carlsen (in a 2019 hand-and-brain exhibition) have used it as a surprise weapon.
Practical Verdict
Engine assessments hover around +0.30 for White, reflecting the space advantage, yet the line remains fully playable: precise maneuvering is more important than rote memory, making it an ideal choice for players who prefer strategic battles over sharp theory.