Key Philidor Game for White
Main line: 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 exd4 4.Qxd4 Nc6 5.Bb5 Bd7 6.Bxc6 Bxc6 7.Bg5 f6 8.Bh4 Nh6 9.Nc3 Be7 10.O-O O-O 11.Qc4+ Kh8 12.Nd4 Qd7 13.Rad1 Rf7 14.f4 a5 15.f5 Rff8 16.Ne6 Rg8 17.a4 Ng4 18.Qe2 Ne5 19.Bg3 Qc8 20.Bxe5 dxe5 21.Rf3 Bd7 22.Rh3 h6 23.Qd2 Kh7 24.Qxd7 Bd6 25.Rxh6+ Kxh6 26.Rd3 Kh5 27.Qf7+
Annotated Philidor Game Moves (from 1.e4 PGN)
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1.e4
White starts with a strong central pawn, opening lines and getting ready to develop quickly.
1...e5
Black copies the idea and also takes space in the centre, leading to an open game.
3.d4
Instead of playing slowly, White immediately challenges the e5 pawn and opens lines for the pieces.
4.Qxd4
The queen recaptures on d4 and develops at the same time. Later, she will step back to safer squares.
7.Bg5
White pins the knight that helps guard the king, making it harder for Black to finish development comfortably.
10.O-O
White castles kingside, putting the king to safety and connecting the rooks so they can join the attack later.
11.Qc4+
The queen checks and at the same time clears the d4 square so a knight can jump there in the future.
14.f4
White pushes the f-pawn, gaining more space on the kingside and getting ready for f5.
16.Ne6
The knight jumps into e6, a dream outpost. From here it attacks many important squares around Black's king.
19.Bg3
White calmly trades Black's only really good piece and keeps everything under control before starting the final attack.
22.Rh3
The rook lifts up and swings across to the h-file, aiming straight at Black's king. This is a classic rook-lift idea.
24.Qxd7
White picks off the bishop on d7, winning material while keeping the attack going.
25.Rxh6+
The rook sacrifice blows open the h-file. Even though White gives up material, Black's king becomes completely exposed.
27.Qf7+
The queen gives a final check. Black is helpless against the coming mate, so he has to resign.