Caissa Codex
C41

Philidor Defense: Berger Variation

Chess diagram: Philidor Defense: Berger Variation after 10. Re1

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Statistics from Lichess

304 games: White 44.4% / Draw 8.2% / Black 47.4%

The moves played next. Pick one to see it on the board.
Next moveGamesWhite / Draw / BlackW / D / B
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Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 31, 2026

Engine evaluation

−0.01 The position is about equal

Best play: 10... h6 11. Bf4 Re8 12. a4 Bf8 13. Bf1 d5 14. Nxd5 Nxd5 15. exd5

Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.

Overview

Philidor Defense: Berger Variation (ECO C41, Open Games) is a variation of the Philidor Defense: Exchange Variation, reached after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 exd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 Be7 6. Be2 O-O 7. O-O c5 8. Nf3 Nc6 9. Bg5 Be6 10. Re1 (10 moves).

In 304 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 44.4%, Black 47.4% and 8.2% were drawn. Black's most played move here is 10…h6, in 34% of those games.

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Cite this page

Caissa Codex. “Philidor Defense: Berger Variation (C41)”. Lichess data as of 31 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/philidor-defense-berger-variation

https://chesscodex.org/openings/philidor-defense-berger-variation