Philidor IV
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Re: Philidor IV
Actually there were at least ten videos from Shirov about Philidor defense on Youtube. But I can't find them anymore. Probably he deleted them.
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Re: Philidor IV
or someone, who hates Shirov, deleted them, or someone, who was appalled by the gambit...Henk wrote:Actually there were at least ten videos from Shirov about Philidor defense on Youtube. But I can't find them anymore. Probably he deleted them.
only playable gambit for white is the Evans gambit.
no playable gambits for black.
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Re: Philidor IV
Shredder suggests 12. ... Qa5 instead of Qc7, with half a pawn advantage for Black. That loses control over d6, which was why Qc7 was suggested, but for the moment, White cannot get that square anyway.
Even 12. ... Qc7 is not as bad as the video suggests, it's about even. After 13. 0-0-0, Black must not play ... a5, that brings White into clear advantage, and after 14. a4, ... b4 is completely losing.
But Black has several moves with minor advantage here: 13. ... g6, g5 or even Bb7.
The main problem with declining the gambit with h6 instead of Nxg4 is that Black still has no options in the centre and still cannot castle kingside because the pawn shelter gets weak after White plays g5. Plus that White can open up the centre with dxe5 at any time. Which is what White also does if Black accepts the gambit, but at least, Black can hold on and has the pawn as endgame insurance.
Even 12. ... Qc7 is not as bad as the video suggests, it's about even. After 13. 0-0-0, Black must not play ... a5, that brings White into clear advantage, and after 14. a4, ... b4 is completely losing.
But Black has several moves with minor advantage here: 13. ... g6, g5 or even Bb7.
The main problem with declining the gambit with h6 instead of Nxg4 is that Black still has no options in the centre and still cannot castle kingside because the pawn shelter gets weak after White plays g5. Plus that White can open up the centre with dxe5 at any time. Which is what White also does if Black accepts the gambit, but at least, Black can hold on and has the pawn as endgame insurance.
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Re: Philidor IV
On the other hand, I have been digging deeply through the variations of the accepted gambit, and with optimum play by both sides, it looks pretty equal. The issue is just that the paths are very narrow for both sides, which makes the opening sharp.
Actually, I would not recommend this opening for a human versus a strong engine. But with human vs. human, White may play this if White is either a superior player or better prepared. The only drawback is that in human games, Black is unlikely to go for Philidor these days.
It's also a good option for strong players against dedicated units (just like e.g. the Blackmar-Diemer-Gambit) as these will probably not have this opening in the book - with at least one exception, of course.
Actually, I would not recommend this opening for a human versus a strong engine. But with human vs. human, White may play this if White is either a superior player or better prepared. The only drawback is that in human games, Black is unlikely to go for Philidor these days.
It's also a good option for strong players against dedicated units (just like e.g. the Blackmar-Diemer-Gambit) as these will probably not have this opening in the book - with at least one exception, of course.

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Re: Philidor IV
That depends on what type of player you are. Strategic, Tactical, or Positional. As for me, I like the initiative and active positions so I might try d5 here based of the principal that an attack on the wing is countered by an attack in the center. Mind you I am not adverse to capturing with Nxg4, it just depends on the mood I am in.Henk wrote:What should black play against this gambit ? Don't tell me he has to exchange it's queen against a rook, bishop and a pawn.
[d] r1bqkb1r/pppn1ppp/3p1n2/4p3/3PP1P1/2N2N2/PPP2P1P/R1BQKB1R b KQkq g3 0 5
PS: I do play the Black Lion but rarely does white play g4 in my games with black, because I normally get in g5 first and it is supported by my own pawn on h6.
"Good decisions come from experience, and experience comes from bad decisions."
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Ted Summers
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Ted Summers
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Re: Philidor IV
I think I capture on d4. That makes the position less complicated. Spares me studying violent gambits and dubious king attacks.
rnbqkbnr/ppp2ppp/3p4/4p3/3PP3/5N2/PPP2PPP/RNBQKB1R b KQkq d3 0 3
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rnbqkbnr/ppp2ppp/3p4/4p3/3PP3/5N2/PPP2PPP/RNBQKB1R b KQkq d3 0 3
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Re: Philidor IV
The pawn capture is both the most frequently played move and the computer suggested move.
rnbqkbnr/ppp2ppp/3p4/4p3/3PP3/5N2/PPP2PPP/RNBQKB1R b KQkq - acd 40; acs 4740; bm exd4; c3 "exd4"; cce -73; ce -31; pm exd4 {4181} Nf6 {1388} Nd7 {776} f5 {233} Nc6 {151} Qe7 {99} Bg4 {86} Be6 {2} f6 {2} Be7 {1}; pv exd4; white_wins 2854; black_wins 1738; draws 2220; Opening Philidor Defense: General. 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4; CaxtonID: 1489; ECO: C41;
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rnbqkbnr/ppp2ppp/3p4/4p3/3PP3/5N2/PPP2PPP/RNBQKB1R b KQkq - acd 40; acs 4740; bm exd4; c3 "exd4"; cce -73; ce -31; pm exd4 {4181} Nf6 {1388} Nd7 {776} f5 {233} Nc6 {151} Qe7 {99} Bg4 {86} Be6 {2} f6 {2} Be7 {1}; pv exd4; white_wins 2854; black_wins 1738; draws 2220; Opening Philidor Defense: General. 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4; CaxtonID: 1489; ECO: C41;
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