Theoria
8765432abcdefgh1

French Defense

Reversed Philidor Formation

C00solidoffbeatsystem

  1. 1.e4e6
  2. 2.d3d5
  3. 3.Nd2Nf6
  4. 4.Ngf3Nc6
  5. 5.Be2
125 games46%46%

A quiet French Defense sideline in which White sets up d3, Nd2, Ngf3 and Be2, a Philidor Defense structure with colors reversed and an extra tempo.

Train it in Theoria

About the Reversed Philidor Formation

The Reversed Philidor Formation begins like the King's Indian Attack, with 2. d3 and 3. Nd2. Instead of fianchettoing, White develops the bishop with 5. Be2. The setup of d3, Nd2, Ngf3 and Be2 mirrors Black's arrangement in the Philidor Defense, with an extra tempo. The most common reply is 5...dxe4. Black can also claim the center with 5...e5, and 5...Bd6 has scored well for Black in a small sample. The engine rates the position as balanced.

Popular continuations