Caissa Codex
C41

Philidor Defense: Lion Variation, Sozin Variation

Chess diagram: Philidor Defense: Lion Variation, Sozin Variation after 8…exd4

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Statistics from Lichess

1,345 games: White 42.9% / Draw 5.9% / Black 51.2%

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Next moveGamesWhite / Draw / BlackW / D / B
1,3451,345

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

Engine evaluation

0.00 The position is about equal

Best play: 9. Nxd4 Re8 10. Qd1 Bf8 11. Re1 h6 12. Bf1 d5 13. exd5 Rxe1

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

Overview

Philidor Defense: Lion Variation, Sozin Variation (ECO C41, Open Games) is a chess opening that starts 1. e4 d6 2. d4 Nf6 3. Nc3 e5 4. Nf3 Nbd7 5. Bc4 Be7 6. O-O O-O 7. Qe2 c6 8. a4 exd4.

In 1,345 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 42.9%, Black 51.2% and 5.9% were drawn. White's most played move here is 9. Nxd4, in 100% of those games.

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Cite this page

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

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