Caissa Codex
C41

Philidor Defense: Hanham, Kmoch Variation

Chess diagram: Philidor Defense: Hanham, Kmoch Variation after 5. Ng5

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Statistics from Lichess

20,110 games: White 48.5% / Draw 3.9% / Black 47.6%

The moves played next. Pick one to see it on the board.
Next moveGamesWhite / Draw / BlackW / D / B
19,19619K
705705
5555
5050
1919
1717
1414
1111

Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 27, 2026

Engine evaluation

+0.92 White is better

Best play: 5... Nh6 6. O-O exd4 7. Qxd4 Qf6 8. Qxf6 gxf6 9. Nf3 Ne5 10. Be2

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

Overview

Philidor Defense: Hanham, Kmoch Variation (ECO C41, Open Games) is a variation of the Philidor Defense: Hanham Variation, reached after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 Nd7 4. Bc4 c6 5. Ng5 (5 moves).

In 20,110 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 48.5%, Black 47.6% and 3.9% were drawn. Black's most played move here is 5…Nh6, in 95% of those games.

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Other lines from the same position

Instead of 4. Bc4 c6 5. Ng5, the position after Philidor Defense: Hanham Variation also goes on to:

Cite this page

Caissa Codex. “Philidor Defense: Hanham, Kmoch Variation (C41)”. Lichess data as of 27 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/philidor-defense-hanham-kmoch-variation

https://chesscodex.org/openings/philidor-defense-hanham-kmoch-variation