Caissa Codex
C41

Philidor Defense: Lion Variation, Delayed Bishop Sacrifice

Chess diagram: Philidor Defense: Lion Variation, Delayed Bishop Sacrifice after 7. Bxf7+

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Statistics from Lichess

13,615 games: White 54.9% / Draw 6.3% / Black 38.8%

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Next moveGamesWhite / Draw / BlackW / D / B
13,56314K
5252

Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Nov 1, 2026

Engine evaluation

−0.51 Black is slightly better

Best play: 7... Kxf7 8. Ng5+ Kg6 9. f4 exf4 10. Ne6 Qg8 11. Nd5 Bd6 12. Nexc7

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

Overview

Philidor Defense: Lion Variation, Delayed Bishop Sacrifice (ECO C41, Open Games) is a chess opening that starts 1. e4 d6 2. d4 Nf6 3. Nc3 Nbd7 4. Nf3 e5 5. Bc4 Be7 6. dxe5 dxe5 7. Bxf7+.

In 13,615 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 54.9%, Black 38.8% and 6.3% were drawn. Black's most played move here is 7…Kxf7, in 100% of those games.

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Cite this page

Caissa Codex. “Philidor Defense: Lion Variation, Delayed Bishop Sacrifice (C41)”. Lichess data as of 1 Nov 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/philidor-defense-lion-variation-delayed-bishop-sacrifice

https://chesscodex.org/openings/philidor-defense-lion-variation-delayed-bishop-sacrifice