The Hanham Variation, Steiner Variation is a variation of the Philidor Defense, catalogued as ECO C41. The line runs 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 Nd7 4. Bc4 c6 5. O-O Be7 6. dxe5, reaching the position shown below after 11 half-moves.
White holds the centre with pawns on e4 and e5, and one pawn capture is available, so the structure has not settled yet. Development is level at two minor pieces each, and White is up a pawn of material. It is Black to move after six moves. White has castled while Black’s king is still uncommitted; White has doubled pawns on the e-file.
On the Philidor Defense generally: A solid but somewhat passive defense. Black supports e5 with d6 for a strong center.
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The Hanham Variation, Steiner Variation goes 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 Nd7 4. Bc4 c6 5. O-O Be7 6. dxe5. It is a variation of the Philidor Defense and is catalogued as ECO C41.
The Hanham Variation, Steiner Variation is ECO C41. ECO codes group openings by their move order, so nearby codes cover closely related lines of the Philidor Defense.
Stockfish evaluates the position after 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 Nd7 4. Bc4 c6 5. O-O Be7 6. dxe5 at +0.97 at depth 18, which is a small but real edge for White. Engine evaluation is only a starting point — at club level the practical value of a line is mostly about whether you know its plans better than your opponent does.
White holds the centre with pawns on e4 and e5, and one pawn capture is available, so the structure has not settled yet. Development is level at two minor pieces each, and White is up a pawn of material. It is Black to move. White has castled while Black’s king is still uncommitted; White has doubled pawns on the e-file.