Philidor: Hanham, 4.Bc4
Philidor Defense – Hanham Variation, 4.Bc4
Definition
The sequence 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 Nf6 4.Bc4 (or, more precisely, any Philidor line in which Black adopts the Hanham set-up and White develops the king-bishop to c4 on move four) is catalogued in modern opening encyclopedias as “Philidor: Hanham, 4.Bc4” (ECO code C41).
Black’s hallmark Hanham structure is:
- …e5 guarded by …d6
- Knights on f6 and d7
- Bishop on e7, typically followed by …c6, …Qc7 and kingside castling.
White’s early Bc4 targets the vulnerable f7-square and pressures the e6 and d5 breaks that Black often requires to liberate the position.
Typical Move Orders
- e4 e5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 Nf6 4.Bc4 (main tabiya)
- e4 e5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 Nd7 (the pure Hanham) 4.Bc4 Ngf6 5.O-O Be7 (transposes)
- e4 e5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 exd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Bc4 Be7 6.Nc3 O-O (with an early exchange on d4)
Strategic Themes
- Pressure on f7: White’s pieces often cooperate on the a2–g8 and b1–h7 diagonals. Tactical shots like Ng5 and Bxf7+ lurk in many lines.
- Space vs. solidity: White enjoys more central room after d4, but Black’s Hanham shell is notoriously resilient if he completes …Nbd7, …Be7, and …c6 without concessions.
- Fight for d5: Black eventually needs …d5 or …f5 to equalize. The bishop on c4 eyes this break, sometimes forcing Black to spend tempi preparing it.
- Piece placement: Unlike the Italian Game, the c4-bishop may become a target for …c6 and …d5. White must judge when to preserve it (Bb3) or exchange on f7/c6.
Plans and Typical Ideas
- For White
- Castle quickly and use Re1, Qe2 or Ng5 to increase kingside pressure.
- Advance c2-c3 and a2-a4 to restrict Black’s queenside pawn breaks.
- Maintain the tension in the center; avoid premature d4-d5 which can free Black’s pieces.
- For Black
- Complete the Hanham set-up: …Nbd7, …Be7, 0-0, …c6, …Qc7.
- Consider the freeing break …d5 in one move if tactics permit, or prepare it with …Re8 and …Bf8.
- If White overextends, counter with …exd4 followed by …Nc5 or …d5 to open lines against the c4-bishop.
Historical Background
The Philidor Defense (named for 18th-century strategist François-André Danican Philidor) long languished in obscurity until Louis Paulsen, Wilhelm Steinitz and later the English master Thorold Hanham explored its solid knight-on-d7 construction at the turn of the 20th century. Hanham’s idea was to reinforce e5 without pinning the f6-knight (unlike the “Antoshin” or “Lion” with …g6). While the pure Hanham (3…Nd7) is move-order sensitive, many modern players enter via 3…Nf6 and only later retreat the queen’s knight.
The specific 4.Bc4 system never became mainstream at top level—4.Nc3 or 4.Nbd2 are more common—but it has served as a surprise weapon from club play up to elite rapid events.
Illustrative Game
The following miniature shows how quickly things can go wrong for Black if he neglects kingside safety.
White’s early Bc4 and Qd5 coordination extracted full value from the pressure on f7.
Interesting Facts & Anecdotes
- Because the Hanham set-up is so compact, grandmasters sometimes call it the “Black Hedgehog of open games.”
- Former World Champion Jose Capablanca experimented with 4.Bc4 in simultaneous exhibitions, scoring quick wins by leveraging his endgame skill after early exchanges.
- On online blitz servers the line is a favorite of gambiteers who hope for 4…Nxe4?!, allowing a quick tactical refutation similar to the illustrative game above.
- The variation’s ECO code (C41) is shared with the Trafford Puzzle motif known as the “Philidor Trap,” though the two positions are unrelated.
Practical Tips
- As White, be ready to retreat the bishop to b3 after …c6 or …d5. Keeping it on the active diagonal is usually worth the tempo.
- As Black, avoid the tempting pawn grab 4…Nxe4?! unless you have checked the forcing lines—most lead to severe trouble.
- If you like solid but flexible defenses against 1.e4, adding the Hanham to your repertoire lets you avoid the heavily-theorized Petroff or Berlin—yet you must be comfortable playing cramped positions for a while.