Tree path 5 levels King's Pawn Game › King's Knight Opening › Philidor Defense › Philidor Defense › Exchange Variation

C41

Philidor Defense: Exchange Variation

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Overview

Philidor Defense: Exchange Variation is a specific line in the Open Games family (ECO C41), arising from a recognised theoretical position.

The Open Games group covers open games — classical 1.e4 e5 openings where both sides contest the centre directly with pawns.

The line arises from 6 plies — specifically the moves 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 exd4.

The line refines Philidor Defense, which traces back to the root opening King's Pawn Game.

The line splits into 4 documented sub-systems: Philidor Defense: Bird Gambit, Philidor Defense: Boden Variation, Philidor Defense: Exchange Variation, and others.

Together the deeper variations number 8 across the full subtree.

Explore the position on the interactive board, study its real-world results from Lichess, and challenge the engine when you are ready.

ECO code: C41
Group: Open Games (C)
Plies: 6
Parent: Philidor Defense
Direct variations: 4
Total in subtree: 8

This overview is generated automatically from the opening's metadata. Know this line well? Write a description — submissions are reviewed before publishing.

Statistics from Lichess

12,286,817 games · White 52.6% / Draw 4.9% / Black 42.6%

Moves	Games	W / D / B
Nxd4	9,254,848
Qxd4	1,621,063
Bc4	907,606
c3	410,899
Ng5	48,574
Bd3	10,509
e5	8,373
h3	7,667

Source: Lichess Opening Explorer · cached 2026-09-26 01:25:57

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Variations (4)

Show all 8 sub-variations (full subtree)

Overview

Statistics from Lichess

Variations (4)

Related variations at the same level