The Nimzowitsch Variation is somewhat of a gamble for black. If white is prepared for it, it’s bad, if he isn’t it can be good.
For an introduction to the Philidor Defense, watch this video on the basics: https://youtu.be/Q4bp4qlRqGg
To finish the series on the Philidor, I chose a variation which is playable for black, and is sometimes played even on the highest levels, but it’s risky and better for white with correct play. Instead of trading off the pawn as in the exchange variation, or simply defending it as in the Hanham, in the Nimzowitsch variation black counter attacks instead. In an attempt to trade his e5 pawn for white’s e4 pawn, similar to the Petrov Defense.
The truth is that the trade isn’t really favorable for black. Practice has shown that white gets a good game almost regardless of what black does. The best black can hope for is equality (which can be achieved only if white deviates with less than ideal moves).
The Nizowitsch Philidor should therefore not be played if you are unfamiliar with all the possibilities white has at his disposal and a firm knowledge that you are entering a position which can be worse for you – and the fact that white gets to decide about that!
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