Philidor Defense Hanham Lions Claw Variation
Philidor Defense
Definition
The Philidor Defense is a king-pawn opening that begins with the moves 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d6. Black immediately supports the e5-pawn with a modest pawn on d6, deliberately avoiding the more combative 2…Nc6 of the Open Games. First analysed by the 18th-century French master François-André Danican Philidor—who famously wrote “Pawns are the soul of chess”—the system bears his name even though modern theory has expanded it well beyond his original ideas.
Typical Move-Orders
- Main line: 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 Nf6 4. Nc3 Nbd7 leading to the Hanham set-up.
- Exchange line: 3. dxe5 dxe5 4. Qxd8+ with early queen exchanges and a drawish reputation.
- Antoshin variation: 3. d4 exd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 Be7, aiming for quick …d5 breaks.
Strategic Ideas
Black’s set-up is flexible but cramped. By delaying …Nc6, Black keeps the c-pawn free for …c6 or …c5. The main strategic battle revolves around:
- Resisting White’s central space advantage (pawns on e4 and d4).
- Timely counter-breaks with …e5-e4, …c6-c5, or …d6-d5.
- Piece play on the kingside, especially in the Hanham & Lion systems.
Historical Significance
The Philidor was once considered a sound, if passive, way to meet 1. e4. Its reputation dipped after the rise of the more dynamic 2…Nc6 (Spanish, Scotch, etc.), but it has never disappeared from master play. Grandmasters such as Tony Miles, Étienne Bacrot, Liviu-Dieter Nisipeanu, and more recently Wesley So have used it as an occasional surprise weapon.
Illustrative Mini-Game
The famous “Philidor Counter-Gambit” miniature shows one of the defense’s tactical hopes:
Black’s idea—sacrificing a pawn to open lines—is double-edged and uncommon today, but the game (A. de Rivière – P. de Saint-Amant, Paris 1843) is historically charming.
Interesting Facts
- The ECO codes for the Philidor run from C41 (main lines) to C44 (Philidor Counter-Gambit).
- Modern engines rate the Philidor as playable but demanding; precise play is required to avoid an enduring space disadvantage.
Hanham Variation (Philidor)
Definition
The Hanham Variation is a classical, heavily fortified Philidor set-up characterised by …Nbd7, …Be7, …c6, and often …Qc7 & …Re8. It arises after:
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 Nf6 4. Nc3 Nbd7 (diagram) 5. Bc4 Be7.
Historical Roots
The line is named after James Moore Hanham (1840-1923), an American master who championed these ideas in the late 19th century. His structure—still common today—forms the backbone of the modern “Lion” system.
Plans & Typical Pawn Structure
- Black keeps a rock-solid “e5-d6-c6” wall and maneuvers pieces behind it, awaiting …exd4 and counter-play on the half-open e-file.
- White enjoys more space and usually chooses between a kingside attack (f2-f4, Qe1-h4) or queenside expansion (a2-a4, b2-b4).
Key Strategic Motifs
- Breaks with …d5 or …f5 when tactically justified.
- “Philidor Grip”: …c6–d6–e5 resists d4-d5 thrusts.
- Knight dances: …Nf6–d7–f8–g6 recycle the king knight toward the kingside.
Model Game
A modern illustration is So – Jobava, Doha Blitz 2016: Black equalised comfortably with the Hanham and later won after dynamic counter-play.
Interesting Facts
- The Hanham is considered the soundest Philidor branch; many databases label it “Philidor Main Line.”
- Because Black’s bishop stays inside the pawn chain on e7, the position resembles a reversed Closed Sicilian.
Lion’s Claw Variation
Definition
The Lion’s Claw is an aggressive sub-line of the Hanham/Lion system in which Black follows the solid Philidor structure with a sudden pawn storm—…h6 and …g5—aimed at clawing space on the kingside and driving away White’s minor pieces. A representative move-order is:
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 Nf6 4. Nc3 Nbd7 5. Bc4 Be7 6. O-O O-O 7. Re1 c6 8. a4 h6 9. h3 g5 (Lion’s Claw).
How It Is Used
- Provocation: Black sacrifices structural purity to seize space, challenging White to react precisely.
- Piece Re-routing: After …g5, the knight often heads to g6/e5 while the dark-squared bishop eyes g7 or h6.
- Flexible Timing: Many “Claw” specialists delay …g5 until White commits to Bc4 or h3, ensuring maximum effect.
Strategic Themes
- Space vs. Structure: Black gains territory but weakens f6, h6, and the long diagonal.
- Unbalanced Middlegames: The resulting positions are ripe for creative play—perfect for surprise weapons in rapid & blitz.
- Psychological Impact: The sudden flank lunge can jolt an opponent who expected the “quiet” Philidor.
Sample Continuation
Here Black owns extra kingside space and open g- and h-files but must watch the e5-pawn and dark squares.
Notable Practitioners & Anecdotes
- FM Leo Jansen popularised the Lion and its “Claw” offshoot in the early 2000s; the name plays on his first name Leo (lion).
- GM Basman has dabbled with the line, fitting his reputation for off-beat, provocative openings.
- Because theory is light, club players can study a handful of motifs and reach unfamiliar territory by move 10.
Practical Tips
- Ensure the e5-pawn is always tactically protected before thrusting …g5.
- If White castles queenside, Black can accelerate …exd4 and …Ne5 with direct play against the king.
- Be ready to retreat the f6-knight to h7 or g8 in some lines, recycling it to f8-g6 after the kingside pawns advance.