Philidor Defense: Nimzowitsch Variation, Klein Variation
The Klein Variation is 3.d4 Nf6 4.Bc4, where White develops the bishop toward f7 and keeps the center tense. White sets up tactics on f7 after dxe5, while Black can take on d4 and play a solid ...Be7 and ...O-O setup.
- Moves
- 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 Nf6 4.Bc4
- ECO
- C41
- Engine
- +0.13 · level (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
- Played
- 556 games in our lichess sample
- White scores
- 57.5%
Key ideas for both sides
White
- After 4...exd4 recapture with the queen and play Nc3, O-O and Rd1, using the open d-file.
- If Black plays ...Be7, take on e5 and use Qd5 to hit f7 and the e4 knight.
- Against 4...Nc6 push d5 to gain space and kick the knight back to b8.
- After ...Nxe4, take on e5 and castle; the e5 pawn cramps Black.
Black
- Take with 4...exd4 and develop with ...Be7 and ...O-O; the engine shows a level game.
- Do not play ...Be7 too early; dxe5 and Qd5 hit f7 and e4.
- After 4...Nxe4, play ...c6 and ...d5 to kick the bishop and fight for the center.
- Use ...a6 and ...b5 to chase the c4 bishop once you are castled.
Plans and pawn structure
After 4...exd4 5.Qxd4, White has quick development and an open d-file, while Black's structure is solid. White plays Nc3, O-O and Rd1, aiming at d6, while Black plays ...Be7, ...O-O, ...a6 and ...Nc6. If Black takes on e4, White gets a strong e5 pawn and Black must play ...c6 and ...d5 to equalize.
What the engine plays from here
Stockfish 17.1 at depth 20 rates the position +0.13: level. Its three top choices for Black:
- +0.13 4...exd4 5.Qxd4 Be7 6.Nc3 O-O 7.O-O
- +0.47 4...Nxe4 5.dxe5 c6 6.O-O d5 7.Be2
- +0.49 4...Nc6 5.d5 Nb8 6.Nc3 Be7 7.h3
Pawns, from White's side.
How it scores on lichess
556 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 57.5%.
Light: White wins. Grey: draws. Dark: Black wins. About the sample.
How to play against it
As Black, take with 4...exd4 and develop with ...Be7 and ...O-O. Do not allow dxe5 and Qd5 with your bishop already on e7. Use ...Nc6 to hit the queen on d4.
Questions
What are the moves of the Philidor Defense: Nimzowitsch Variation, Klein Variation?
The Philidor Defense: Nimzowitsch Variation, Klein Variation starts 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 Nf6 4.Bc4. Its ECO code is C41.
Is the Philidor Defense: Nimzowitsch Variation, Klein Variation good for White?
Stockfish 17.1 rates the position +0.13 at depth 20, which is level. In 556 lichess games from our sample, White scored 57.5%. A tricky line for White players who like tactics, while Black needs to know the ...exd4 answer.
What is the main idea of the Philidor Defense: Nimzowitsch Variation, Klein Variation?
White develops the bishop to c4 and prepares dxe5 with tactics on f7. Black's best answer is ...exd4 and a solid ...Be7, ...O-O setup.
What should Black play next?
The engine's first choice is exd4, with Nxe4 and Nc6 close behind. 4...exd4 opens the center and lets Black develop before the f7 tactics start.
Related lines
Updated October 2026. Sources and method.