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Philidor Defence - with 6.Bxf7

#1
I played another purely theoretical game, where I must admitt I wasnt even thinking because Philidor used to by my main defence before I started to learn 1...e5

Next time when they take on 6.Bxf7, be happy and enjoy your position
http://cs.lichess.org/DFdiXry4/black#1
#2
Yes, in this case white played poorly that's why you won so fast. But in general Philidor is considered as a weak defence. I mean it is like Steinitz Ruy Lopez (1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 d6) - playable but gives you worse position from the beginning.
#3
Alex_1987:

6. Bxf7 is just winning for black side no matter what, it is a poor move used only as a surprise weapon.
I wouldnt say that Philidor is a weak defence. Even though I agree that it is not the most competing way of how to play against 1.e4.
I am learning 1...e5 as my main weapon.

Btw I remember beating you with Philidor a few years ago ;), it happened on a different chess site. ( playchess? ) I had different nickname there, so you dont remember me.
#4
It can not be true, as I did not play on other websites at least for last 6 years and even before I did not play on real thematic chess sites. Lichess the best :)

I remember nice video on Philidor:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=EKCMXf4g1HU

Yes, some people like to get worse but what they think "solid". There are tons of better opportunities in e5 however.

I personally played Steintz variation of Ruy Lopez for a quite some time, until I finally learned how real Ruy Lopez is played. Drawish, somewhat cramped positions with all minor pieces exachanged were the "achievements" :)
#5
Then I am sorry. I really remember russian speaking player on playchess, with the nickname Alex...( year ). We played some nice long rated games together. So you didnt play on playchess.com like 5-6 years ago? Could be even more, I have a good memory for names.

Actually Ruy Lopez ( Breyer Variation ) is my favourite defence nowadays. If you say that Ruy Lopez is drawish, then what is not drawish? Only pure gambits.
To me the whole Ruy Lopez is one of the most interesting openings. Some people smile over the word "solid" and think that it is drawish and boring. I am actually liking these kind of positions, it gives me the feeling everything is under control. I dont like chaos on my chess board.
#6
I meant only special variation of Ruy Lopez: 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 d6
There are much better continuations for black then 3. ... d6
#7
Yeah, White is allowing too much fun for Black after Nxa8. I play against a local NM who sometimes plays this as white, but plays 0-0 instead at that point.
#8
Bxf7 is my absolute favorite line to face. It's a useless sac used as a surprise weapon, but if black is properly prepared, it does nothing. Also, Kg6! is the move, not Kg8.
#9
I'm a bit skeptical about ...Kg6, Christian Bauer notes in Philidor Files, "Venturing the king to g6 is inadvisable and above all unnecessary", and notes that it's actually possible if white exchanges on e5 first.
8. f4 exf4 (forced) 9. Ne6 Qg8 (forced) it looks really bad to me.

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