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AllThe Bishop's Opening is a chess opening that starts with 1.e4 e5 2.Bc4. It's one of the oldest known chess openings, dating back to the 15th century. The Philidor Counter-attack, also known as the Philidor Defence, is a response to the Bishop's Opening and begins with 2...d6.
The Philidor Counter-attack is named after François-André Danican Philidor, a prominent chess player of the 18th century. The main idea behind this defence is to solidify the pawn structure in the center and prepare for quick development of the pieces.
Here are some reasons why to play the Philidor Counter-attack against the Bishop's Opening:
1. Solid Structure: The Philidor Counter-attack helps you build a solid pawn structure in the center, which can provide a good base for your pieces.
2. Quick Development: It allows for the quick development of your pieces, particularly your bishop to g4, which can put pressure on white's kingside.
3. Less Theory: Compared to other openings, there's less theory to memorize. This can be beneficial if you prefer to focus on understanding general principles rather than memorizing specific lines.
However, there are also some reasons why to avoid the Philidor Counter-attack:
1. Passive Position: The Philidor Counter-attack can lead to a somewhat passive position for black. White can often control more space and have more active piece placement.
2. Limited Counterplay: Black's counterplay can be limited in some lines, and white can often dictate the course of the game.
3. Rare at High Levels: The Philidor Counter-attack is not commonly played at high levels of chess. This could indicate that it's not as sound as other defences, or simply that it doesn't offer as many winning chances for black.