Philidor Defense: Nimzowitsch Variation, Sokolsky Variation
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Statistics from Lichess
1,968 games: White 53.5% / Draw 6.7% / Black 39.9%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 1,2761,276 | ||
| 413413 | ||
| 128128 | ||
| 7575 | ||
| 2121 | ||
| 1818 | ||
| 1212 | ||
| 1010 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 31, 2026
Engine evaluation
+0.17 The position is about equal
Best play: 5... Nxd2 6. Bxd2 Be7 7. Bb5+ Nc6 8. Nd4 O-O 9. Nxc6 bxc6 10. Bxc6
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
Philidor Defense: Nimzowitsch Variation, Sokolsky 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. dxe5 Nxe4 5. Nbd2 (5 moves).
In 1,968 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 53.5%, Black 39.9% and 6.7% were drawn. Black's most played move here is 5…Nxd2, in 65% 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 Variation, Sokolsky Variation
5…Nc5 scores best for Black: 45.3%, with Black winning 42.4% and White 51.8% of 413 games. The most played, 5…Nxd2, scores 44.9% in 1,276 games, and 5…Bf5 scores lowest: 38.3%. Stockfish's first choice is 5…Nxd2.
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 Variation, Sokolsky Variation (C41)”. Lichess data as of 31 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/philidor-defense-nimzowitsch-variation-sokolsky-variation