The Lion Variation, Delayed Bishop Sacrifice is a variation of the Philidor Defense, catalogued as ECO C41. The line runs 1. e4 d6 2. d4 Nf6 3. Nc3 Nbd7 4. Nf3 e5 5. Bc4 Be7 6. dxe5 dxe5 7. Bxf7+, reaching the position shown below after 13 half-moves.
Both sides have pawns in the centre (White on e4, Black on e5). Development is level at three minor pieces each, and White is up a pawn of material. It is Black to move after seven moves. Black’s e-file pawn is isolated; the d-file file is fully open.
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 Lion Variation, Delayed Bishop Sacrifice goes 1. e4 d6 2. d4 Nf6 3. Nc3 Nbd7 4. Nf3 e5 5. Bc4 Be7 6. dxe5 dxe5 7. Bxf7+. It is a variation of the Philidor Defense and is catalogued as ECO C41.
The Lion Variation, Delayed Bishop Sacrifice 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 d6 2. d4 Nf6 3. Nc3 Nbd7 4. Nf3 e5 5. Bc4 Be7 6. dxe5 dxe5 7. Bxf7+ at -0.37 at depth 18, which is a slight pull for Black, within normal opening margins. 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.
Both sides have pawns in the centre (White on e4, Black on e5). Development is level at three minor pieces each, and White is up a pawn of material. It is Black to move. Black’s e-file pawn is isolated; the d-file file is fully open.