Caissa Codex
C41

Philidor Defense: Lion Variation, Forcing Line

Chess diagram: Philidor Defense: Lion Variation, Forcing Line after 8. Ne6

Type a move and press Enter: e4, Nf3, O-O, or from and to squares like g1f3 (e7e8q to promote). The board is also played with the mouse.

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Statistics from Lichess

11,363 games: White 56.5% / Draw 5.9% / Black 37.6%

The moves played next. Pick one to see it on the board.
Next moveGamesWhite / Draw / BlackW / D / B
11,10911K
207207
2727
1010
33
22
22
22

Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 29, 2026

Engine evaluation

−0.02 The position is about equal

Best play: 8... Qe8 9. Nxc7 Qd8 10. Nxa8 b5 11. O-O Bb7 12. f3 b4 13. Ne2

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

Overview

Philidor Defense: Lion Variation, Forcing Line (ECO C41, Open Games) is a variation of the Philidor Defense: Nimzowitsch, Larobok Variation, reached after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 Nf6 4. Nc3 Nbd7 5. Bc4 Be7 6. Ng5 O-O 7. Bxf7+ Rxf7 8. Ne6 (8 moves).

In 11,363 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 56.5%, Black 37.6% and 5.9% were drawn. Black's most played move here is 8…Qe8, in 98% of those games.

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Cite this page

Caissa Codex. “Philidor Defense: Lion Variation, Forcing Line (C41)”. Lichess data as of 29 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/philidor-defense-lion-variation-forcing-line

https://chesscodex.org/openings/philidor-defense-lion-variation-forcing-line