Philidor Defense: Nimzowitsch, Locock Variation
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Statistics from Lichess
806 games: White 50.4% / Draw 2.7% / Black 46.9%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 334334 | ||
| 171171 | ||
| 139139 | ||
| 3939 | ||
| 3838 | ||
| 2020 | ||
| 2020 | ||
| 1212 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 30, 2026
Engine evaluation
−0.19 The position is about equal
Best play: 4... exd4 5. Bc4 d5 6. exd5 Bb4+ 7. c3 Qe7+ 8. Be2 dxc3 9. Nxc3
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
Philidor Defense: Nimzowitsch, Locock Variation (ECO C41, Open Games) is a variation of the Philidor Defense: Nimzowitsch Variation, reached after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 Nf6 4. Ng5 (4 moves).
In 806 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 50.4%, Black 46.9% and 2.7% were drawn. Black's most played move here is 4…h6, in 41% of those games.
Written from the Lichess opening list and explorer. Know this line well? Write about it.
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How to play against the Philidor Defense: Nimzowitsch, Locock Variation
4…Be7 scores best for Black: 55.6%, with Black winning 54.4% and White 43.3% of 171 games. The most played answer, 4…h6, scores lowest: 45.2% in 334 games. Stockfish's first choice is 4…exd4.
Main answers: those played in at least 5% of these games. Score: Black's wins plus half the draws, in rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500. How to play against other popular openings
Cite this page
Caissa Codex. “Philidor Defense: Nimzowitsch, Locock Variation (C41)”. Lichess data as of 30 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/philidor-defense-nimzowitsch-locock-variation