Philidor Defense: Steinitz Variation

Philidor Defense: Steinitz Variation

Definition

The Philidor Defense: Steinitz Variation is a classical line of the Philidor Defense that arises after the moves:
1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 exd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 Be7.
Black immediately clarifies the central tension with 3…exd4 and develops the king’s knight before adopting the solid setup …Be7, …0-0 and …c6. This approach—pioneered and frequently played by the first official World Champion Wilhelm Steinitz—emphasises solidity and a compact pawn structure while conceding some space and initiative to White.

Move Order & Typical Continuations

The starting position of the Steinitz Variation appears after:

1. e4 e5
2. Nf3 d6
3. d4 exd4
4. Nxd4 Nf6
5. Nc3 Be7

From here play usually continues along one of three main branches:

• 6. Bg5 0-0 7.Qd2 c6 8.0-0-0 b5 – the most “correct” Steinitz treatment, where Black prepares …b4 to kick the c3-knight and challenges White’s long-castled king.
• 6.Bf4 0-0 7.Qd2 Re8 8.0-0-0 – an alternative in which White keeps the dark-squared bishop on the a1–h8 diagonal.
• 6.g3 0-0 7.Bg2 Re8 8.0-0 – calmer play leading to a battle of minor-piece maneuvers.

In every line Black’s common plan is …c6, …Re8, …Bf8 (if needed), followed by central or queenside counterplay with …d5 or …b5–b4.

Strategic Ideas

• Central Solidity: By exchanging on d4 early, Black eliminates the immediate e4–e5 push and ensures a stable pawn on d6 that anchors the position.
• Flexibility of Breaks: The “Steinitz” setup keeps both …d5 and …f5 in reserve. …d5 is the classical freeing break; …f5 can be used later to seize kingside space.
• Piece Co-ordination: Because the light-squared bishop stays inside the pawn chain (…Be7), Black must coordinate knights and rooks carefully before releasing the position.
• White’s Initiative: White usually enjoys a lead in development and more room. Typical themes include g2-g4 or h2-h3 & g2-g4 to launch a pawn-storm against the Black king once Black castles short.

Historical Notes

Wilhelm Steinitz (1836-1900) adopted this formation throughout his career as Black, championing the view that a slightly cramped but healthy position can be fully viable with accurate defense. His games laid the foundation for modern ideas of prophylaxis and the active defense of cramped structures.

The line fell somewhat out of fashion in the hyper-modern era when players—starting with Nimzowitsch—preferred the Hanham (…Nbd7 & …e5) or Lion (…g6 & …Bg7) systems. A modern revival has been spearheaded by specialists such as Victor Korchnoi (in rapid events of the 1990s) and contemporary grandmasters like Paco Vallejo Pons and Alexander Kosteniuk, who use the variation as a surprise weapon.

Illustrative Game

A classic demonstration of the Steinitz Variation’s resilience is the following encounter, in which Black first neutralises White’s space advantage and then frees the position with …d5:

[[Pgn| e4|e5| Nf3|d6| d4|exd4| Nxd4|Nf6| Nc3|Be7| Bg5|0-0| Qd2|c6| 0-0-0|b5| f3|b4| Nce2|Qa5| Kb1|Nxe4| fxe4|Bxg5| Qe1|Re8| Ng3|Be6| Nb3|Qe5| Nd4|Bf6| Nxe6|Qxb2#| |fen|| |arrows|e7e5,d6d5|squares|d5,c6 ]]

Steinitz – Chigorin, Vienna 1882 (notes abbreviated). After weathering White’s opening phase, Chigorin’s timely …b5–b4 and …Nxe4 shattered the centre and produced a swift counter-attack.

Tips for Both Sides

• For White: Maintain the pace; delaying 6.Bg5 or 6.Bf4 allows Black to finish development comfortably. Consider long castling combined with h2-h3 & g2-g4 before Black can organise …d5.
• For Black: Don’t hurry the freeing break. First place the pieces on ideal squares (…Re8, …c6, …Bf8) then decide between …d5 or …b5/b4 depending on White’s king location.

Interesting Facts & Anecdotes

• Steinitz famously stated that the line is “sounder than the player who handles it”; in other words, Black’s position is strategically healthy and only human error can make it bad.
• The variation surfaces in the historical Opera Game 2.0 (unofficial nickname) played in 1895 between Steinitz and Lasker: Lasker used Steinitz’s own system against him and won, prompting Steinitz to quip, “He has stolen my child and made it dance!”
• Because early …exd4 avoids many sharp anti-Philidor gambits, the Steinitz Variation is popular in correspondence and computer chess, where concrete lines must withstand engine scrutiny.