Philidor Defense: Hanham Variation

About this variation

Black keeps the pawn on e5 with 3...Nd7, preparing ...c6, ...Be7 and ...Ngf6. It is solid but needs care in the opening.

The Hanham Variation is 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 Nd7. Black supports e5 with the knight and keeps the center closed. Black typically follows with ...c6, ...Be7 and ...Ngf6, building a solid structure similar to the Old Indian Defense. The set-up is hard to break but gives White more space.

The main danger for Black is the early Bc4 with pressure on f7. After 4. Bc4, Black must play precisely: 4...c6 is the standard move, preparing ...Be7 and ...Ngf6 without allowing tactics. If Black plays 4...Be7?, White wins material with 5. dxe5 followed by Qd5, attacking f7.

White's main plans include Bc4, O-O, Re1 and a4, gaining space and preparing a central break with dxe5 or a kingside attack. White can also aim for a quick Ng5 to pressure f7. The extra space usually gives White a lasting edge.

Black's ideas include ...b5 and ...a5 to gain queenside space, ...Qc7 and ...Re8 to support e5, and ...exd4 at the right moment to open lines for the pieces. In some lines, Black aims for ...h6 and ...g5 to start a kingside attack.

The Hanham Variation suits Black players who like solid, closed positions and are comfortable defending. Black must know the key move orders, since a single inaccuracy in the first few moves can lose material.

Studying the main traps and move orders is the most important part of learning the Hanham. Once the opening phase is over, the plans are clear and the position is very solid.

One concrete line is 4. Bc4 c6 5. O-O Be7 6. dxe5 dxe5, when 7. Ng5! is awkward: after 7...Bxg5 8. Qh5 Qe7 9. Qxg5 Qxg5 10. Bxg5 White has the bishop pair and a clear endgame edge. That is one reason many Philidor players prefer to reach this set-up by the Lion move order.

It is one of the main lines of the Philidor Defense.