The Paulsen Attack is a variation of the Philidor Defense, catalogued as ECO C41. The line runs 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 exd4 4. Nxd4 d5 5. exd5, reaching the position shown below after 9 half-moves.
White holds the centre with pawns on d5. Development is level at one minor pieces each, and White is up a pawn of material. It is Black to move after five moves. The e-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 Paulsen Attack goes 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 exd4 4. Nxd4 d5 5. exd5. It is a variation of the Philidor Defense and is catalogued as ECO C41.
The Paulsen Attack 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 exd4 4. Nxd4 d5 5. exd5 at +1.04 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 d5. Development is level at one minor pieces each, and White is up a pawn of material. It is Black to move. The e-file file is fully open.