The Philidor's Defense: push the flank, or walk the plank

Submitted by shuttlechess92 on Fri, 11/07/2008 at 8:05pm.

The Philidor's Defense

The Philidor's Defense is an ancient opening, that although has fallen out of favor over the years, is still in practice today. Its earliest practitioners, most importantly Paul Morphy, has scored great victories with it, but the comfortable play for White has made it used primarily as a backup to surprise the opponent. Personally, I prefer the play for White, but I am by no means going to call it unplayable for Black. However, Black must play very carefully, as the weaknesses created in the opening can be exploited in a rather swift fashion.

» posted in For Beginners

| 753 reads | 5 comments |

3 votes:

Comments:

by cgs - 49 days ago
Veszpre'm Hungary

Member Since: Feb 2008
Member Points: 566

Well known that every opening is playable, the Philidor defense as well. Morphy rarely played it, more played against the Philidor with white. In this game black played very badly. What a move is 3... Qf6?? Start out with the Queen in the opening? Black got a well-deserved mate. (As a Morphy mate in the world-famous game against Charles duke of Brunswick in 17 moves. My thumbnail eternized this moment.) I'm glad of your comments at my site!