Philidor Defense: Your Black Chess Arsenal - C41 - Opening Theory

Demystifying the Philidor Defense
 A Treasure Trove of Resources for Black ♛
 

The Philidor Defense (1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d6) is a solid and strategic opening for Black, offering a comfortable alternative to the more theoretical Ruy Lopez.

While it may not be the flashiest opening, the Philidor provides Black with good chances for active piece play and a healthy pawn structure.

This comprehensive guide equips you with a wealth of FREE resources to master the Philidor Defense, regardless of your chess experience level.


Philidor Defense Wikipedia Page

The Philidor Defense (or Philidor's Defense) is a chess opening characterized by the moves:

1. e4 e5

2. Nf3 d6

 
Philidor - Black Lion (Hanham ) Variation Page

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Books / Courses (Free)

• Short & Sweet: Philidor Defense - Free Chessable Course - 35 Trainable Lines w/ 2hrs Video  - GM Pepe Cuenca
  
  
• Short & Sweet: Black Lion - Free Chessable Course - 24 Trainable Lines w/1 hr Video - GM Simon Williams
  
  

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Philidor Defense Chess Articles

• Philidor Defence - Simplify Chess Opening Guide - This comprehensive guide explores each key move of the Philidor Defense, explaining the theory behind the four main variations.
  
  
• Chess Opening Basics: The Philidor Defense - Chessable Blog Opening Guide - Get a solid foundation in the Philidor Defense with this general opening explanation and exploration of its common variations.
  
  
• PHILIDOR DEFENSE: HOW YOU SHOULD PLAY IT - Pawn Break Guide - This article dives into strategic concepts and recommended approaches for Black players wielding the Philidor Defense.
  
  
• The Amazing Philidor Defense!  -   International Master Alberto Chueca offers a simplified perspective on the Philidor Defense, outlining key plans for Black.
  
  
• Lessons in Philidor's Defence  -  The Exeter Chess Club -  Provides a detailed opening guide for the Philidor Defense, suitable for players looking to expand their knowledge.
  
  
• Black Lion Defense: The Total Guide (Only For The Brave) - In-Depth Opening Guide - Chess Journal - For those seeking an in-depth exploration, this comprehensive guide delves into the history, theory, variations, general strategy, and step-by-step approach of the Black Lion, a dynamic sub-variation of the Philidor Defense.
  
  
• Understanding the Philidor Defense - IM Emmanuel Jimmenez - Blog post with 2/ analyzed games

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Philidor LiChess Studies

Lichess studies offer an interactive way to learn and practice the Philidor Defense. Test your understanding, explore key variations, and solidify your strategic concepts with these valuable resources:

• Philidor's Defense - 6 Chapter Study (320 hearts) - Sourced from the respected "Modern Chess Openings" (15th Edition), this study breaks down the Philidor Defense into clear chapters, making it ideal for beginners.
  
  Philidor's Defense - 6 Chapter Study - This user-created study focuses on providing easy-to-understand plans for Black against specific lines played by White.
  
  
• Philidor's Defense - 6 Chapter Study - This user-created study focuses on providing easy-to-understand plans for Black against specific lines played by White.
  
  
• The Philidor Defense (Benjamin Finegold) - 9 Chapter Study - Dive into a detailed analysis of the main lines, Exchange Variation, Shirov Gambit, and some sidelines with renowned chess author Benjamin Finegold.
  
  
• The Philidor Defense - 10 Chapter Study - This comprehensive study explores detailed variations with a few model games to illustrate key concepts.
  
  
• Philidor Defense with White - 6 Chapter Study -Simple w/ White players seeking insights into common responses to the Philidor Defense.
  
  
• Philidor Defense, Exchange Variation (White) - 9 Chapter Study - For those specializing in the Exchange Variation as White, this in-depth study offers a meticulous exploration of the main lines.
  
  
• The Black Lion - 4 Chapter Study (114 hearts) - Explore the Black Lion variation, a dynamic sub-line of the Philidor Defense, with a few model games for practical application.
  

New to Lichess studies? These interactive tools allow you to explore chess concepts and variations move-by-move, perfect for testing your understanding and deepening your knowledge.

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Game Databases

Delve into real Philidor Defense battles with these online databases, allowing you to witness how grandmasters and other players have handled this opening in practice: 

365Chess.com

• C41: Philidor's defence 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d6  -  16,570 Games  (Links to 27 Variations Here as well)
  
  
• Paul Morphy Philidor Games - 16 Game Collection (All Games where Morphy Played White)

ChessTempo.com

• Philidor Defense, General (C41) - 4162 Games

Chessgames.com

• Philidor Defense (C41) 1 e4 e5 2 Nf3 d6 - 9100 Games  
  
  

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Chess Puzzles

Test your tactical skills with puzzles specifically designed for the Philidor.

LiChess Philidor Defense Puzzles   - 16,000 Puzzles 
(LiChess Puzzle By Opening Page - Here) 1/3 Way down page is Philidor broken into 11 variations)

WTHarvey

Philidor Defense (ECO C41) - 25 Puzzles

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Philidor Defense Video Lessons

Philidor Defense Explained | Ultimate Beginner Guide to King Pawn Openings Part 1 - 18 min - Johnathan Schrantz - Part 1 covers Philidor's Defense and Damiano's Defense

Philidor Defense Lecture - 54 Min - IM Mark Esserman - Enjoy this lecture on the theory of the Philidor Defense which also includes the famous Opera Box Morphy game and Fischer vs. Benko 1963!

St.Louis Chess Club

• The Philidor #1: The Exchange | Chess Openings Explained - 57 Min - Nick Risko teaches all about the Exchange Variation of the Philidor Defense
• The Philidor #2: Hanham & Lion Variations | Chess Openings Explained - 58 Min - Nick Risko concludes his mini-series about the Philidor Defense, with this one specifically on the Hanham and Lion variations.

Black Lion Defense

• Simon Williams - The Black Lion - An aggressive version of the Philidor Defense - 18 Min - GM Simon Williams
  
  
• Learn the Black Lion Opening: In Five simple stages - 23 Min - GM Simon Williams - This video will teach you the five key things that you need to know in order to play a very exciting opening, The Black Lion.
• Chess Stream #74 Black Lion Q+A - 57 Min - GM Simon Williams - answering questions and demonstrating key ideas. The Black Lion is a response to 1.e4, aiming for an exciting, aggressive setup against the King’s Pawn opening. The host shares his journey of discovering the Black Lion and emphasizes its potential for launching a strong kingside attack.
  
  
• Chess Openings: Learn to Play the Black Lion Defense! - 20 Min - Chess Giant - Learn the concepts and plans and not theory.
  
  
• Chess Stream #43 Live Lesson with YayBjorn. A masterclass in the Black Lion! - 1.5hr

Fighting the Philidor

• How to BEAT the Philidor Defense - 8 Min - Chess Geek
  
  
• Dominate The Philidor Defense Like a GM! - GM Roman - 6 Min
  
  
• Chess For Beginners: Fischer & Kasparov learned from Morphy to Crush Philidor Defense! - 18 Min - IM Perunovic - International Master and FIDE Senior Trainer, Miodrag Perunovic, lectures about tips, tricks, and traps for you to exploit black's pieces in the Philidor Defense .
• How to Fight Against The Black Lion!! - 21 Min - IM Perunovic - discusses strategies to counter the Black Lion opening, a variation of the Philidor Defense, emphasizing the importance of controlling the center and light squares.
  
  
• How to WIN against the Philidor Defense - 27 Min - IM Alex Astaneh - n this video I will show you an aggressive, trendy system against the popular Philidor Defense.
• Philidor DEFENSE Power Play: 5 GAME-CHANGING Ideas in the Exchange Variation - 16 Min - GM Jose Gonzalez - (New 5/29/24)

Philidor Chess Traps

• No fear of Philidor Defense All Traps You Must know - 8 Min
• Dirty Chess Tricks 22 (Larobok Shock for Philidor/Black-Lion Defense) - 27 Min

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Philidor Game Videos w/Analysis

Master Class | Philidor Defence | Chess Speedrun | Grandmaster Naroditsky - 31 Min

Understanding Positional Drawbacks | Philidor Defense | GM Naroditsky’s - 44 Min

Deconstructing The Philidor Defence | The Sensei Speedrun | Grandmaster Naroditsky - 28 Min

Philidor Defence | The Sensei Speedrun | GM Naroditsky - 20 Min

Standard Chess #193: IM Bartholomew vs. vperboy (Philidor Defense) - 39 Min - IM Bartholomew

GM Simon Williams (Black Lion Games)

• Longer Chess Games #52 The Black Lion Bites! - 30 Min
• Longer Games #11 Climbing the 2500 mountain... The Black Lion!
• Longer Chess Games #40 Climbing the 2500 mountain - The Black Lion in Action - 33 min 
• GM Chess Analysis #60 Lupulescu vs Williams. The Black Lion vs a 2600+ GM - 31 Min
• GM Analysis #14: Looking for an aggressive Opening to learn? Enter the Black Lion! - 27 Min

 

"The Philidor Defense is a game by its form, an art by its content and a science by the difficulty of gaining mastery in it." - Tigran Petrosian

 

Sharp & Aggressive: Mastering the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit (D00)

 

The Blackmar-Diemer Gambit
 A Sacrificial Dance for Aggressive Players

Why Play the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit?

The Blackmar-Diemer Gambit (BDG) is a dynamic chess opening known for its unorthodox pawn sacrifice on move two (1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4!). This gambit appeals to both new and experienced players for several reasons:

• New Players:
  • Exciting and Unpredictable: The BDG throws your opponent off-balance, offering a chance to surprise them with an unfamiliar position.
  • Fast Development: The pawn sacrifice opens lines and allows for rapid development of your pieces, leading to a quick attack.
  • Learn Tactical Motifs: The BDG is rich in tactical opportunities, helping you develop your tactical vision and calculation skills.
• Experienced Players:
  • Sharp and Aggressive Play: The BDG offers a chance to play for a win with an imbalanced position, appealing to aggressive players.
  • Test Your Opponent's Opening Knowledge: Many players are unfamiliar with the BDG, allowing you to potentially gain an early advantage.
  • Deep Strategic Ideas: While appearing reckless, the BDG has underlying strategic concepts like piece activity and central control to explore.

Whether you're a new player seeking excitement or an experienced player looking to sharpen your attacking skills, the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit offers a unique and rewarding path to victory.

 BDG Wikipedia Page 

Nice Wikipedia Page on the Main Variations.

 

It is one of the few gambits available to White after 1.d4

 

Main Line

After 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 exf3 5.Nxf3, 

Black has five main options:

Gunderam Defence: 5...Bf5 

Teichmann Defence: 5...Bg4 
Euwe Defence: 5...e6
Bogoljubov Defence: 5...g6 
Ziegler Defence: 5...c6 

also 
Ryder Gambit: 5.Qxf3

 

Black's Options: It's important to note that Black has several ways to decline the gambit on move two (2...e6 or 2...c6), leading to more solid openings like the French Defense or Caro-Kann Defense. 

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Books (Courses) Free

 

• A beginner's blitz repertoire - FREE Chessable Course - 53 Trainable Variations - The core of the repertoire is a set of interpretations of the Blackmar-Diemer gambit - but more often than not castling queenside, rather than kingside.
  

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Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Articles

Delve into the theory, history, and key variations of the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit.

 

• Blackmar-Diemer Gambit - Article on Gambiter Blog - History with a short Synopsis of all of the Variations.
  
  
• Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Declined - Vienna Defence 4...Bf5 [D00] - Chess Publishing Article on this Line.
  
  
• Ryder Gambit: An Aggressive Chess Opening Guide - Chess journal Article - Extensive Guide. How to play, How to play Against, Pawn structures, tricks and traps w/ several example games.
  
  
• Mission: Checkmate! the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit - FM Eric Schiller - Chess.com Article w/ 5 example games.

BDG Blogs

• Blackmar Diemer Gambit -  Blog with over 200 Posts Specifically on this Gambit 
• Tom's BDG Pages   - Another Old Blog with Over 200 posts on this Gambit. (From the Creator of the BDG World magazine)
• Play Chess Openings - Tim Sawyer Blog  - This Link is to page with 53 BDG Posts

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LiChess Studies

Explore interactive training tools to solidify your understanding of the opening's concepts.

•  BLACKMAR-DIEMER GAMBIT  -  12 Chapter Study - (282 hearts) (Top of page) - Different Variations w/ Caro and French Transpositions.
  
  
• Blackmar-Diemer Gambit (In Progress)  - 44 Chapter Study (65 hearts)  Looks at all of Blacks Defenses.
  
  

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Games Databases

Analyze real-life games featuring the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit and see how it's played in practice.

  

365Chess.com

• D00: Blackmar-Diemer gambit 1. d4 d5 2. Nc3 Nf6 3. e4 - 1274 Games
• A45: Blackmar-Diemer gambit 1. d4 Nf6 2. f3 d5 3. e4     - 191 Games

Chessgames.com

• Blackmar Diemer Gambits  - 8 Games (All 1-0)

Chess Tempo

• Blackmar-Diemer Gambit, General (D00)  -  Over 170,000 Games (2200+ Rating with Popularity Graph)
• Blackmar-Diemer Gambit, Gedult Gambit (D00) -  1. d4 d5 2. e4 dxe4 3. f3   (400+ Games)
• Blackmar-Diemer Gambit, Von Popiel Gambit (D00) - 1. d4 d5 2. e4 dxe4 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bg5  (5100+ Games)

 

Extra Games

• Chess_Olympiads_1990_till_2012 - 9 Games Played 

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 LiChess Puzzles (Tactics)

Test your tactical skills with puzzles specifically designed for the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit.

• BLACKMAR DIEMER GAMBIT - 2846 Puzzles
• von Popiel Gambit - 193 Puzzles

 

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Blackmar Diemer Gambit Videos

FREE ELO With The Blackmar-Diemer Gambit  - 25 Min Video - Gotham Chess - The Blackmar-Diemer Gambit, a great aggressive chess opening for beginners and intermediate players. Very tricky and full of tactics. Theory w/ 2 games analyzed.


GM Boris Alderman

• Alterman GGuide Blackmar Diemer gambit part1 - 28 Min
• Alterman GGuide Blackmar Diemer gambit part2 - 24 Min
• Alterman GGuide Blackmar Diemer gambit part3 - 27 Min

Most Aggressive Chess Opening for White | Powerful Gambit - 11 Min - GM Igor Smirnov - You will learn about the Halosar Trap which happens after the following moves: 1.d4 d5 2.e4 dxe4 3.Nc3 Nf6 4.f3 exf3 5.Qf3. This variation is so aggressive that Black can get checkmate in just about 10 moves.
Brilliant Blackmar-Diemer Gambit | Journey to GM #5 | GM Moulthun Ly - 9 Min - One of my favorite attacking game I played with this unusual Gambit.

Blackmar–Diemer Gambit: Openings Explorations - 13 Min - NM Bryan Tillis - We investigate a game in the Blackmar–Diemer Gambit.
Opening Basics #40: Blackmar-Diemer gambit - 43 Min - Jim's Chess Channel - Video explains the gambit’s origins, key moves, and strategic ideas w/ some game examples.

The Blackmar-Diemer Gambit · Chess Openings - 34 Min - Hanging Pawns - Nice Guide w/ Basics, plans ideas and lines .

How to refute the Blackmar Diemer Gambit  - 15 min - Robert Plunkett's Chess Lab - A simple refutation to the Blackmar Diemer gambit and why the Blackmar Diemer Gambit is unsound.

Traps

• Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Opening Trap - Sacrifice Queen - Checkmate in 7 moves - Chess Opening Tricks - 3 Min - NM Nelson Lopez
  
  
•  Amazing Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Tricks | Tricks, Traps And Blunders - 7 Min - Chess School
  
  
• Chess Opening Traps #5: Halosar Opening Trap - Blackmar–Diemer Gambit - 15 Min - kingscrusher

Ryder Gambit (DBL Pawn Sacrifice)

•  GM Ben Finegold's Gambit Series: The Blackmar-Diemer Gambit - 7 Min - Introduces the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit, specifically the Ryder Gambit, in this video. He explains the move sequences, strategies, and potential traps for both white and black players.
  
  
• Kill with 1.d4 | The Unorthodox Ryder Gambit!! - 22 Min - IM Modrag Perunovic -  Explores the Ryder Gambit, an unorthodox opening in chess that begins with 1.d4. detailed analysis and examples of how to play this gambit effectively, especially against opponents who are not well-versed in theory or prefer positional play.
  
  
• Ryder Gambit - Chess Opening - 14 Min - theChessWebsite -  It covers various responses and strategies for both white and black.
  
  
• Unbelievable Traps in the Ryder Gambit! Fire Upon Fire! - 15 min - Kaspachess - some of the most interesting traps you may use in the queen's pawn opening after 1. d4 d5. The gambit in discussion is called the Blackmar-Diemer Gambit Accepted: Ryder Gambit.
  
  

von Popiel Gambit  (A New Twist on the Blackmar-Diemer )

 Von Popiel Gambit!! Playlist   - 7 Video Playlist - FM William Graif

• Win every time as White with the VON POPIEL GAMBIT!! - 32 Min - FM William Graif - An improvement on the Blackmar-Diemer that you can get every time with White! And it's not just traps -- the opening is very dangerous on the whole
• Universal & Aggressive Chess Opening for White | Powerful Gambit - 17 Min - GM Igor Smirnov
  
  
• The NEW Blackmar-Diemer Gambit?  - 24 Min - Johnathan Schrantz - Learn the von Popiel Gambit which is a little know variation of Blackmar-Diemer Gambit that is quickly becoming popular.
• The von Popiel Gambit Trap Nobody Knows About - 6 Min - Johnathan Schrantz

Blackmmar - Diemer Gambit Game Videos (W/Analysis)

• 2 PERFECT Von Popiel Gambit wins in Titled Tuesday - 19 Min - FM William Graif
  
  
• Blitz Game #23 Chess Opening: Blackmar-Diemer Gambit (Black) - 6 Min - IM Miodrag Perunovic
  
  
• Blackmar-Diemer Gambit: Nazarenus vs Besson-Switzerland 2004 - 5 Min - Chess School
  
  
• All Out Attack Using Blackmar-Diemer Gambit - 7 Min - Chess School
  
  
• Master Class | Blackmar–Diemer Gambit | Chess Speedrun | Grandmaster Naroditsky - 24 Min

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