Chess Opening Theory/1. e4/1...e5/2. Nf3/2...d6/3. d4/3...Nd7/4. Bc4/4...Be7/5. dxe5

Hanham variation C41 Philidor defence → Hanham variation → 4...Be7? 5. dxe5 White opens the centre to capitalise on Black's passive development. This move comes with a specific tactical threat: by opening the d-file, White hopes to threaten f7, and so force Black to make material concessions. 5. dxe5?? is therefore a mistake, because it allows White to play 6. Qd5!, forming a battery and threatening Qxf7#. 5. Nxe5? is little better: after 6. Nxe5 dxe5 White could trade queens, but better is 7. Qh5 (threatening Qxf7+) g6 8. Qxe5 Nf6only, winning two pawns. The engine line is for Black to give up on recovering the pawn for now and focus on activating their pieces. Theory table +5678dxe5 dxe5??Qd5 +-dxe5 Nxe5?Nxe5 dxe5Qh5 g6Qxe5 +/- References See also