Philidor's Defence.
1 P-K4
P-K4
2 Kt-KB3
P-Q3
3 P-Q4 ...
If the White pieces are to penetrate into the centre, it is necessary to force the Black KP to submit to exchange.
3 ... P-KB4
A bold answer, to get the White KP out of the way.
4 B-QB4 ...
White retaliates by aiming against the Black King which will have difficulty to obtain a safe position.
4 ... BPxP
Black insists on forming a mass of Pawns in the centre.
5 KtxP ...
White destroys the mass of Pawns by giving up a piece in order to assail the King.
5 ... PxKt
There is no help for it, since X-B7 as well as Q-R5ch.
are threatened.
6 Q-R5ch.
K-Q2
Of course if 6 ... P-KKt3;
7 QxKPch. gains the Black R.
7 Q-B5ch.
K-B3
8 QxKP ...
Black will not be able to secure his King except at great expense. For instance 8 ... P-QR3;
9 B-K3
Kt-B3;
10 Kt-B3 ... (threatening P-Q5ch.]
10 ... B-KKt5;
11 P-KR3
B-Q3;
12 Q-QR5 ...; [!threatening B-X5ch.]
12 ... P-QKt3;
13 Q-R4ch.
P-Kt4;
14 KtxKtP.
The sound plan for Black is not counter-attack but patient defence as follows:
3 ... PxP
4 KtxP ...
Also QxP may be played since the Queen cannot easily be driven from this strong post. If 4 QxP
Kt-QB3;
5 B-QKt5.
4 ... Kt-KB3
5 Kt-QB3
B-K2
6 B-K2 ...
With the intention of advancing P-B4, in order to get a grip on point K5 and to strengthen the points K4, Q5 later on by KB-B3.
6 ... Kt-B3
7 O-O
O-O
8 P-B4
R-K1
9 B-B3
B-Q2
The threat of White was 10 XxX followed by 11 P-K5.
10 K-R1 ...
As preparation for P-QX3, and B-X2 which at present would be venturesome because of the reply
10 ... P-Q4;
11 PxP
B-QB4;
12 PxKt
BxP;
13 Kt-K2
BxB followed by RxX or similar lines of play.
If Black tries to keep his KP in its place on K4, Hanham's variation results.
1 P-K4
P-K4
2 Kt-KB3
P-Q3
3 P-Q4
QKt-Q2
If 3 ... Kt-QB3;
4 PxP
KtxP;
5 KtxKt
PxKt;
6 QxQch.
KxQ. The Black King is not well placed.
4 B-KKt5
B-K2
5 BxB
QxB
6 Kt-B3
KKt-B3
7 Q-Q2
O-O
8 O-O-O ...
White has gained in space, but the position of Black presents few assailable points.
Another important variation of Hanham's defence:
4 B-QB4
P-QB3
To secure the point Q4 and to obtain mobility for the Queen.
5 B-KKt5
Q-B2
If 5 ... Q-Kt3;
6 B-Kt3, and the Black Queen stands somewhat exposed.
6 P-B3
KKt-B3
To gain a Pawn move by 6 ... P-KR3;
7 B-R4 seems hardly to the point, since the Pawn, at least for the present, seems better left at home.
7 QKt-Q2 ...
It will not be easy for Black to institute a counterattack. True, a certain menace might develop in
7 ... PxP and attack on KP or by the hazardous manoeuvre 7 ... P-KR3 followed by 8 ..., [!)P-KX4.