Here's a VERY short game where the Philidor defense went wrong very quickly.
en.lichess.org/jYY5sVNjKdOU.
So just for fun (not using engines - just look at the moves - it's not hard), where did the opponent go wrong?
Maybe others trying to use this defense may learn something.
Well done for following the famous Opera game :)
Obviously 7...b6 is the blunder that leads to checkmate, however 3...Bg4 is already an inferior move as your game showed.
The Philidor is playable but black should play 3...exd4 or 3...Nf6 to avoid getting in trouble
7. b6. The previous moves were from a game between Paul Morphy and Count Isoard teaming up with the Duke of Brunswick. 7.Qe7 is better, even though you lose a pawn you don't get mated.
What #2 said.
I'd like to add that black's best fighting chance on move 4 was probably to give a pawn with 4...Nc6. After 4...Bxf3?!, white gets a lead in development & the bishop pair for free, and the game almost plays itself from there...
#3 instead of 6... Nf6, 6... Qd7 or 6... Qf6 is better
opponent was oblivious to the attack on the weak F7 square. QE7 is probably the most common response.
Thanks for the comments. The Opera game is a sentimental favorite, so no wonder I followed it. Extra thanks to those that posted better moves for Black.
@ColostomyBag That last game is awesome. :)
Very nice!
