Hanham Variation of the Philidor Defense
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- čas přidán 13. 09. 2024
- The Hanham Variation (which often leads to the popular Lion Philidor) is a seemingly simple, but very tricky way to play the Philidor.
For an introduction to the Philidor Defense, watch this video on the basics: • Introduction to the Ph...
The Hanham Variation is a very logical approach to the position after white plays d4. Instead of exchanging your e5 pawn or counter attacking the e4 pawn with Nf6, black simply defends it with Nd7. Probably the most important feature of the variation is the fact that it’s more often entered from other openings! In the Pirc defense, when black plays the early e5, the Lion Variation (of the Hanham) is what most strong players choose to play. It occurs after d4 d6 as well. It is therefore one of those positions which you have to be familiar with, which makes it a must learn for every player.
The variation I mentioned above is only one branch of the Hanham though. White has a choice to make on move 4. If he plays Nc3, it is almost inevitable that the position will turn into a Lion Philidor. The second option at his disposal is the more aggressive Bc4. With Bc4, white plays a more aggressive setup with quick castling and kingside pressure. In my opinion, it is a much better choice.
Firstly because the engines give black an edge in the Lion. Albeit hard to prove that edge, it should still be taken into account. On the highest levels, black wins most of the games! With Bc4 though, white is better in all variations according to theory and to the engines. The main move for black, c6, leads to a position which is more than +1 for white! One move is good for black against it. Simply exchanging the central pawns! Black can capture exd4, thus avoiding the main issues resulting after Bc4. The positions are equal and symmetrical, but at least black isn’t forced to defend the entire middlegame.
All in all, the Hanham Philidor seems to be an interesting opening. Regardless of what white plays, black is able to play a normal position with equal chances. The Lion Variation should be the center of your study as it’s what most often happens. If you learn it well, Nd7 could be deadly for e4 players!
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I don’t know about y’all but I derive a great deal of satisfaction listening to him pronounce ‘Pirc’ correctly every time.
Tomic, the only guy that really cares about us
Haha:) I think that learning is much easier if you don't have to do it alone. That's why I started the channel in the first place.
@@HangingPawns thanks for being generous.
@@HangingPawns thank you for that. 😌
I'm happy that you respond and like our comments, please don't change when you have more subscribers😁
I won't mate:)
I love playing this position Jensen style with the black lion. Extremely sharp but also flexible. You delay (or often forgo) castling, deliver the knoght knight from d7 to f4 and often even sacrifice it to open the g file for the rook in the alpha zero fashion. Not for the faint of heart, and takes time to develop feel for the position.
Even with a book I've lost like 200 rating points learning to play like this, but all was well worth it. I climbed right back up with this system and it keeps bringing me more and more success.
Leo Jensen is THA MAN!
really appreciated fullfilling my suggestion
Another very nice opening chess lesson! Thank you very much.
To answer your question why GMs play Nc3 over Bc4: I play myself the philidor but with another moveorder, like most GMs do. Instead of playing it your way it’s recommended to play like this: 1.e4 d6 2.d4 Nf6 3.Nc3 Nbd7 4.Nf3 e5.
Here you do not allow Bc4..
I also play it all the time like that. I hear on the Black Lion from Simon Williams that 4.f4 from white might give it a slight edge though. A very similar setup can be played against 1. d4 which is called the Old Indian, which has the advantage of being very similar to what you play against 1.e4.
The Pirc move order is definitely superior. The traditional Philidor is too passive and allows too much counterplay. However, I feel like not many people are at all familiar with the Philidor/Lion structure and at the end of the day being prepared if your opponent isn‘t will win more often than playing a deeply analyzed line and having a memory contest with your opponent
I think I can dear to recommend people to look at the black lion variation too. More risky and often without castling, but it can be effective and surprising as a weapon/attack as black. Similar patterns, but also flexible.
Very instructional. Thanks a lot.
Thank you for the material to study. I like the philidor defense.
Very instructive and fluently explained videos you made on the Philidor. I do have some questions and wanted to know how to contact you directly. I am interested in getting to master's level. Thank you kindly,
SIR CAN YOU MAKE A SERIES ON OLD INDIAN DEFENCE TO FOLLOW UP IN DETAILS
What about c4 after Nd7? White scores 67% and that's actually the move engine says is the best
I don't know your level, but I have played the Black Lion variation of this opening as black like 200 games. I have never been faced with c4. I play at 1300-1800 level at different sides and time controlls. Are you in that area, no need to worry about c4.
The reference to the "Lion" is a complete misnomer. The Hanham is a prophalactic approach to maintain a dynamic tension in the center, and the "Lion" is a complete transñosition to a more agressive flank attack.
B6 is a mistake that black doesn't need to play. After white plays a4 black responds a5. This continuation is much better then b6?.
Why not play h6 to protect against Ng5 when the white bishop is on c4?
Do most strong players just memorize lines. Or do they just react? I always wonder this. Because I play this setup all the time and usually win. I just react to white. I dont memorize anything
Why not play 4... Nf6 in response to Bc4? Then if Ng5 d5 exd h6 Nf3 and black is doing great
Wuhu!
11:14 in this position you showed why black is better. Nf4 is too strong and black has a scary attack. The d6 pawn is irrelevant. This is also why white had to play passively. Anyways just wanted to explain why black has a better practical position
12:36 Bc4
Been trying the philidor in rapid online lately due to these videos. Ivr been playing the black lion.
I have to say its underwhelming and feels very passive.
I agree. That's why I play the caro kann:D
5.c4 seems detrimental. Please prove me wrong