How to BEAT the Philidor Defense

In this video, we'll be demonstrating the Philidor Defense in chess, and how to beat it. The Philidor Defense is a very common chess opening, and it allows the black player to develop their pieces more quickly. We'll show you how to defend against the Philidor Defense and how to exploit the weaknesses of your opponent's strategy.

If you're looking to learn how to play the Philidor Defense in chess, then this video is for you. We'll walk you through the entire opening, and explain why it's a common choice for black. By the end of this video, you'll have a better understanding of how to play against the Philidor Defense, and be able to win against

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00:00 - Introduction
00:27 - First Move + Basic Ideas
00:57 - Black's Options
01:53 - 3... Nc6 (Rare Option)
02:47 - 3... Nf6 (Rare Option)
03:47 - 3... Nd7 + Nf6 (Allows winning tactic!)
04:36 - 3... Nd7 + Be7 (Also Allows winning tactic!)
05:20 - 3... exd4 (MAIN OPTION)
07:36 - Quick Review of Ideas!

#chessopening
#chessopenings
#chess

[woodenfences]

Good presentation! Clear, simple, and short. Many thanks!

[tessa]

I have to admit, I did not expect much from this video. Much to my surprise, you answered EVERY question I had about the philidor, with beautiful clarity, and in only ten minutes! It’s astounding!

I look forward to more content like this. I hope to see similar content for more openings! I would love this for b6/g6 openings, and the Caro-Kann!

[StygianStyle]

Low rated players always slam that pin right away with Bg4 trying to win the d pawn.

[DavidPauwelynTravelingbyfoot]

Beautiful. Thank you so much. Your comments at the end about how black was running out of options because of whites space advantage were very helpless reminding me to just be patient in these situations.

[crispybanana]

thank you very much i always felt like philidor is such a passive defence and felt stupid for not knowing how to punish it properly

[tatane]

Thanks very much for this short repertoire against the Philidor Defense. I like the way you present moves with clear strategical and tactical explanations, helping us to remember and understand why we are making these moves, instead of making complex dangerous moves.
Thanks again!

[waverider]

loved the way you presented this... the pace, organization and follow through. Helped me out a lot.

[sawyerfrey]

Excellent presentation! You speak clearly of the main ideas and don't waste any time. Thanks for sharing.

[Charles-Matthews]

Brilliant, these videos are so clear … thank you!

[bertrandf]

Thanks for your interesting video. I think there are interesting and playable setups for Black in the main line (3.-, exd4) with c6 or c5 ideas, expanding on the Queen's side. You show Nh5 at some point wich is not a good plan, as you say. Black can fellow a passiv setup but solid, trying to exchange pieces, but at the right moment, and expanding on the Queen's side. As Black, against 1.e4, we have choice to play very complicated anserws (like 1.-, e5; 2.Nf3, Nc6 and all the openings that can occur or Sicilian's setup), or openings a little passiv, but solid and playable. I don't play the Philidor myself. I play the Caro-Kann. But in the Caro-Kann, we get sometimes little passiv but playable setups, as in the Philidor. Notice that Grand Masters play the Philidor with Nd7 setup with a different move order wich avoids the accurate tactics you show. This move order is : 1.e4, d6; 2.d4, Nf6; 3.Nc3, e5; 4.Nf3, Nbd7. Perhaps you cover this move order in another video. First moves are the Pirc, but 3.-, e5 goes to a Philidor setup.

[danielartok]

I tried to play the scotch but then my opponent did this... always good to know new stuff

[eriliken]

Bro I swear you are talking about my one bane I just raged to again this evening, you come just in time lol

[MrPeterprinciple]

It's better to play the Black Lion which could lead to similar positions as the Philidor without the weaknesses.

[m_de_manteiga]

I don't understand at all why the center fork trick shouldn't favor black on the exchange line

[pedropinon]

In the main variation after changing on d4 he might play c5 to menace our night.. is it still a good position after making it go back to f3? or is there a better square for the Knight? (or even a trap to fight back without running away)

[efthorpe]

What do you if Black plays Bg4 on the third move? A lot of players have played that against me.

[peterreid]

Agree that d6 is irritating. Played by negative players.

[msmmsmmms]

As a beginner there's things I don't understand, can anybody explain the following?
At 1:55 it is said that Bb5 is a good option, it pins the black knight to the king etc. But why is it good if something as simple as black pawn in a6 will make the bishop retreat? And especially considering that everyone warns that moving the same piece twice is not good and it's shows a poor decision?

[Manfaceinbackrooms]

instructions unclear: bishop G4 pinned my knight in third move

[chrishoff]

In the ...e X d4 variation at the end, I've found success as black putting my queen on c8 with my bishop on d7.