C41

Philidor Defense: Nimzowitsch, Larobok Variation

Chess diagram: Philidor Defense: Nimzowitsch, Larobok Variation after 7. Bxf7+

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.

Play any move on the board to explore from there, or step through the line with ‹ › and the arrow keys.

Statistics from Lichess

11,679 games: White 56.3% / Draw 5.9% / Black 37.8%

The moves played next. Pick one to see it on the board.
Next moveGamesWhite / Draw / BlackW / D / B
11,66512K
1414

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

Engine evaluation

−0.12 The position is about equal

Best play: 7... Rxf7 8. Ne6 Qe8 9. Nxc7 Qd8 10. Nxa8 b5 11. f3 Ba6 12. a4

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

Overview

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

In 11,679 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 56.3%, Black 37.8% and 5.9% were drawn. Black's most played move here is 7…Rxf7, in 100% of those games.

It continues into one named variation, Philidor Defense: Lion Variation, Forcing Line.

Written from the Lichess opening list and explorer. Know this line well? Write about it.

Write a description or report a mistake
What would you like to send?

Markdown supported (headings ###, bold, lists, links). Submissions are reviewed before publishing.

Variations (1)

Cite this page

Caissa Codex. “Philidor Defense: Nimzowitsch, Larobok Variation (C41)”. Lichess data as of 27 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/philidor-defense-nimzowitsch-larobok-variation