Philidor Defense: 3...Nc6
Philidor Defense: 3...Nc6
Definition
The line 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 Nc6 is a branch of the Philidor Defense in which Black develops the queen-knight instead of the more common 3…exd4 or 3…Nf6. By placing the knight on c6 Black protects the e5-pawn and maintains tension in the center, at the cost of temporarily blocking the natural c-pawn break …c6 or …c5 and slowing the light-squared bishop’s development.
Typical Move Order & Position
The basic starting position of the variation can be reached after the
following moves:
Strategic Themes
- Black’s central grip – The knight on c6 adds a third defender to the e5-pawn (along with the queen and d6-pawn), allowing Black to delay the exchange on d4 and keep a sturdy classical center.
- Crony Knights – Because both knights can land on f6/e7/c6/d7, Black often orchestrates the ideal “Hanham” setup (…Nf6, …Be7, …O-O, …Re8, …Bf8) from a different move order.
- Space for White – White enjoys more room and quicker piece activity, trying to crack the e5 point with 4. Bb5, 4. Nc3, or 4. dxe5 dxe5 5. Qxd8+.
- Blocked bishop problem – Black’s c8-bishop may take a long time to get into the game, often via …g6 and …Bg7 or by patiently preparing …c6 followed by …d5.
Main Continuations
- 4. Bb5 – The Ruy-style pin. After 4…exd4 5. Nxd4, Black can choose 5…Bd7 (quiet) or 5…Nge7 heading for …g6.
- 4. Nc3 – Builds more central pressure. Black reacts with 4…Nf6 (transposing to a Pirc-like setup) or 4…exd4 5. Nxd4 Be7.
- 4. dxe5 – A critical try: 4…dxe5 5. Qxd8+ Nxd8 where White forces queens off but keeps the healthier pawn structure.
Historical Perspective
Although François-André Danican Philidor recommended …Pawns are the
soul of chess
, he rarely played this exact move order. The knight
jump to c6 gained occasional popularity at the end of the 19th
century; Max Lange tried it at Leipzig 1894, and Aron Nimzowitsch used it
in his pre-World War I exhibitions. It received renewed attention in the
1980s when Yugoslav GM Ljubomir Ljubojević and later GM Alexei Shirov
experimented with it as a surprise weapon.
Illustrative Game
Shirov – Ljubojević, Wijk aan Zee 1992 showcased both sides’ ideas: [[Pgn| e4|e5| Nf3|d6| d4|Nc6| Bb5|exd4| Nxd4|Bd7| Nc3|Nf6| O-O|Be7| Re1|O-O| Bf1|Re8| h3|Nxd4| Qxd4|c5| Qd3|Bc6| Bf4|Bf8| Rad1|Re6| | ]] Shirov eventually pried open the center with f4–f5 and won in 38 moves. The game demonstrates how White’s space advantage can become decisive if Black fails to free the c8-bishop in time.
Practical Advice
- If you are Black: Memorization is less important than understanding when to strike with …f5 or …d5 to liberate your position.
- If you are White: Do not hurry. Maintain central tension and glide your pieces to optimal squares (Bc4, Qe2, Rd1) before deciding on d4-d5 or f2-f4.
Interesting Facts & Anecdotes
- In some databases the line is mislabeled as the Antoshin Variation; technically Antoshin requires 3…exd4 followed by …Nf6.
- Because the position after 3…Nc6 4. Bb5 can resemble a Ruy Lopez but with d-pawns still on their original squares, club players sometimes call it the “Ruy Philidor.”
- Engines rate the line as roughly +0.50 for White, but practical results are closer to 55-45 thanks to its surprise value.