Seriously. The same question could be asked for a myriad of openings (like the always popular 1.e4 c5 2.Bc4 ... ugh) but the Philidor Defense seems currently trending on Lichess, and I can't understand why.
This is my latest chess game (I'm White):
http://en.lichess.org/qqW1Vpov
I'm quite happy with Stockfish finding no faults (very rare for me!). I do notice that Black seems to have (more than) equalised before he crumbled, according to the engine, but it seems to me that White dictates the pace throughout. It's as if White only needs to place a pawn on g5, keep his pieces on "beautiful" squares and let Black self-destruct. I had no particular plan, playing mostly instinctively.
Obviously if I was playing against Stockfish I'd get crushed. So, what are Black's plans in this position (before move 18)? In general, what's the point of the Philidor? Why would *you* play it? Is it as passive as it looks?
If a total patzer like me can play semi-accurately against it, it seems no particularly good. Prove me wrong :P
Insights much appreciated!
This is my latest chess game (I'm White):
http://en.lichess.org/qqW1Vpov
I'm quite happy with Stockfish finding no faults (very rare for me!). I do notice that Black seems to have (more than) equalised before he crumbled, according to the engine, but it seems to me that White dictates the pace throughout. It's as if White only needs to place a pawn on g5, keep his pieces on "beautiful" squares and let Black self-destruct. I had no particular plan, playing mostly instinctively.
Obviously if I was playing against Stockfish I'd get crushed. So, what are Black's plans in this position (before move 18)? In general, what's the point of the Philidor? Why would *you* play it? Is it as passive as it looks?
If a total patzer like me can play semi-accurately against it, it seems no particularly good. Prove me wrong :P
Insights much appreciated!