The Philidor Countergambit, Berger Variation is a variation of the Philidor Defense, catalogued as ECO C41. The line runs 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 f5 4. dxe5 fxe4 5. Ng5 d5 6. e6 Bc5 7. Nc3, reaching the position shown below after 13 half-moves.
Black holds the centre with pawns on d5 and e4. Development is level at two minor pieces each. It is Black to move after seven moves.
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 Philidor Countergambit, Berger Variation goes 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 f5 4. dxe5 fxe4 5. Ng5 d5 6. e6 Bc5 7. Nc3. It is a variation of the Philidor Defense and is catalogued as ECO C41.
The Philidor Countergambit, Berger 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 f5 4. dxe5 fxe4 5. Ng5 d5 6. e6 Bc5 7. Nc3 at +0.62 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.
Black holds the centre with pawns on d5 and e4. Development is level at two minor pieces each. It is Black to move.