What Philidor Defense: Hanham, Kmoch Variation puts on the board
Material is level, with black to move.
White has central pawns on d4 and e4; Black has central pawns on e5.
White can still castle either side; Black can still castle either side.
What White is trying to build
Develop around the Philidor Defense pawn structure before starting a wing operation.
Keep the central pawn breaks available until the pieces show which one helps.
How Black challenges it
Contest the centre and finish king safety before collecting loose material.
Improve the least active piece before committing the pawn structure.
The tactical pattern to recognise
Central pawn breaks can open files while a king or queen is still exposed.
Loose pieces and undefended central pawns matter more when both sides are still developing.
What to check before committing
Repeating a piece move without checking whether a new piece can be developed instead.
Starting a flank plan while the centre can still open against the king.
Choose the next book move
Preview a move to see the resulting position and the idea behind it. Select it to continue on the same board.
Reference links and alternate move orders
Related variations
- Philidor Defense: Hanham Variation, Delmar Variation
- Philidor Defense: Hanham Variation, Krause Variation
- Philidor Defense: Hanham Variation, Schlechter Variation
- Philidor Defense: Hanham Variation, Sharp Variation
- Philidor Defense: Hanham Variation, Steiner Variation
- Philidor Defense: Lion Variation, Bishop Sacrifice
- Philidor Defense: Lion Variation, Delayed Bishop Sacrifice
- Philidor Defense: Lion Variation, Forcing Line
- Philidor Defense: Lion Variation, Lion's Claw
- Philidor Defense: Lion Variation, Shirov Gambit
- Philidor Defense: Lion Variation, Sozin Variation
- Philidor Defense: Lopez Countergambit, Jaenisch Variation
