The Philidor Countergambit, del Rio Attack 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, reaching the position shown below after 11 half-moves.
Black holds the centre with pawns on d5 and e4. Development is level at one minor pieces each. It is Black to move after six moves.
On the Philidor Defense generally: A solid but somewhat passive defense. Black supports e5 with d6 for a strong center.
You can play through this variation move by move in your browser — Learn mode walks the line with an explanation at each step, and Drill mode replays it from memory so you find out whether you actually know it. No account is required.
See all 20 Philidor Defense variations →
The Philidor Countergambit, del Rio Attack goes 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 f5 4. dxe5 fxe4 5. Ng5 d5 6. e6. It is a variation of the Philidor Defense and is catalogued as ECO C41.
The Philidor Countergambit, del Rio 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 f5 4. dxe5 fxe4 5. Ng5 d5 6. e6 at +1.16 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 one minor pieces each. It is Black to move.