Chess Opening Theory/1. e4/1...e5/2. Nf3/2...d6/3. d4/3...Nd7/4. Bc4/4...Ngf6/5. dxe5/5...Nxe5/6. Nxe5/6...dxe5/7. Bxf7/7...Kxf7/8. Qxd8/8...Bb4

Hanham variation C41 Philidor defence → Hanham variation → 8. Qxd8 8...Bb4+ Black discovers an attack on White's queen with check. If White blocks the check with 9. Nc3??, 9. Nd2??, or by moving their king, they lose their queen back to ...Rxd8 and are down a bishop. If 9. c3? to block the check while counter-attacking the bishop, then after ...Rxd8 cxb4 Nxe4! White has recovered the bishop but Black regains the pawn. The material and position is equal. The best move is 9. Qd2: interposing the check, counter-attacking Black's bishop while also avoiding ...Rxd8. After 9...Bxd2+ 10. Nxd2 (defends the e-pawn), the queens and bishops are effectively traded and White remains up a pawn. good. Theory table +910Qd2 Bxd2+Nxd2 +/- References See also