Chessy
Philidor Defense: Nimzowitsch Variation as Black
After 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 Nf6, you reach a sharp, practical position where White has the move and a modest pull. That makes this a useful drill for Black: you are not trying to solve the opening with one move, but to understand the most testing continuations and punish the most common slips. The engine’s main recommendation and the database choices both give you a clear map of what to expect when White chooses the most natural moves.
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Create a free account →What the position asks of Black
This variation is all about staying solid while meeting White’s central pressure. White has an extra tempo to work with, so you need to know what to expect rather than play by guesswork. In this position the best engine move is Nc3, and the continuation given is Nc3 Nbd7 Bc4 h6. That tells you the kind of game you are aiming for: calm development, active piece placement, and no early panic over the centre. The drill below helps you practise that basic response against White’s most natural choices.
What the database says
The numbers are not flattering for Black here. Across 1,104,659 games at this exact position, White wins 57.3%, draws 4.4%, and Black wins 38.3%. Stockfish rates this +0.61, a small edge for White. That does not make the opening unplayable, but it does mean you must be accurate. If you want to use this line, you should be ready for White to press and for you to solve practical problems move by move.
White’s main choices you must know
The most-played continuation is dxe5, with 728,240 games, and White scores 58.7% there. The next most common is Nc3, with 163,705 games and a White score of 57.5%. Bc4 appears in 52,298 games, where White scores 57.4%. Bg5 is also very common, with 44,566 games and a White score of 53.7%, while Bd3 appears in 33,100 games and gives White 53.0%. These are the replies your drill should make you comfortable facing, because they show where real opponents usually go.
The mistakes to punish
There are two important errors to watch for in this exact position. d5 is a mistake and loses about 2.0 pawns; better was Nc3. Bg5 is an inaccuracy and loses about 0.5 pawns; better was Nc3. That means you should stay alert when White pushes the centre too freely or brings the bishop out without enough support. In practical terms, your job is to spot when White has overreached and then choose the cleaner developing move rather than drifting into passivity.
Results across 1,104,659 Lichess games
| Most-played continuation | Games | White wins |
|---|---|---|
| dxe5 | 728,240 | 58.7% |
| Nc3 | 163,705 | 57.5% |
| Bc4 | 52,298 | 57.4% |
| d5 | 51,327 | 47.3% |
| Bg5 | 44,566 | 53.7% |
| Bd3 | 33,100 | 53.0% |
Frequently asked questions
Is the Philidor Defense: Nimzowitsch Variation good for Black?
It is playable, but the current position is a bit better for White. Stockfish gives +0.61, and the results across 1,104,659 games also favour White. So it is a practical choice only if you are ready for accurate defence.
What should Black look for after 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 Nf6?
The engine’s best move here is Nc3, with the continuation Nc3 Nbd7 Bc4 h6. That shows the kind of development Black is aiming for: stay organised, keep pieces active, and meet White’s central play without rushing.
Which White move is most common in this position?
The most-played continuation is dxe5, with 728,240 games. White also chooses Nc3 very often, and Bc4, Bg5, and Bd3 are all common enough that you should expect them in your drill.
What mistakes should I hope White makes?
The main one listed is d5, which is a mistake and loses about 2.0 pawns. Bg5 is also flagged as an inaccuracy and loses about 0.5 pawns. If White plays either one, you should be ready to answer with the better developing move.
How many games feature the Philidor Defense: Nimzowitsch Variation?
Over 1 million Lichess games have reached the Philidor Defense: Nimzowitsch Variation position. White wins 57.3%, Black wins 38.3%, with 4.4% draws — based on real rated games.