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Early d5 in the Philidor || Philidor Shenanigans

NM Sean Lei

11,246 views

Two games where both my players play d5 early. What do you do when this happens? Find out in these chess games!
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My name is Sean Lei and I am a Canadian Chess National Master. If you have any questions about the game, or about chess in general, just leave a comment and I would be happy to answer all of them!

If you want your game analyzed, you may send them to the email

20 Comments

@NMSeanLei Creator 5 years ago Pinned

What more Philidor type of games do you wish to see? Do you wish to see any other opening? Tell me in the comments!

@arthurwieczorek4894 5 months ago

I found the side step---and that is a new word for my chess lexicon.

@danno1800 3 years ago

You have a GIFT for explaining moves and situations! Thank you very much for teaching us how to be better at chess.

@arthurwieczorek4894 11 months ago

I like this board color.

@tabby7189 1 year ago

Why not Rd4 instead of Rc4?

@andybickford8272 5 years ago

Really digging the entire How to Play the Philidor series! Would love to see a video on the middle game plans against d4 c4 structures

@xaviserra2227 4 years ago

Great explanations on the Philidor! So many time without your videos. Will you come back soon? Hopefully yes!

@p.jhodeflea789 3 years ago

Black player overlooks several easy tactical moves like...Rxh4 or Rd4 . stunning!

@fadlialgadri9816 5 months ago

Good

@davidbatchelder85 1 year ago

I hate that about the scoring, you play, you win, 2 points, you loose, 15 comes off of you. That su99s

@angel_machariel 4 years ago (edited)

To anyone capable reading this: early d5 is the second most used response against me. 5.dxe5 is the first choice: how do I deal with this? Such as, is there a long term plan available or does the black player (me) make little attacking plans each time?

I'm just a 1400 club player.

@ems3832 4 years ago

After 14. Qd3, ...d5 wins a piece, it looks like.

@davidbatchelder85 1 year ago

great job, have tried this because I have been getting crushed on the e4 d4 white. This is a prayer answered. May Jesus bless you in all that you do. Amen Merry Christmas, Happy New Year.

@irjake 4 years ago

I knew there was a tactic at 8:19, but I couldn't find it so I looked with an engine ... and Rxh4!! is the best move. If he takes back with the g pawn his king is too weak and you can harass it until you win the rook back. 1.gxh4 Qg4+ 2.Kf1 Bf3 3.Rb1 Qg2+ 4.Ke1 Qg1+ 5.Kd2 Qxb1 ...savage!

@tancakar8987 4 months ago

11:16 rook to d4 would have been finishing this game earlier and you would have win quick. as he cant take your rook with knight you have check mate, so he will move his queen and then you take the rook with check

@ajarnray4115 5 years ago (edited)

Nice games I don't mind what variation they play it is all instructive. I hope you keep playing the Philidor with black because they are great and I keep them in my database. Who is the most instructive player for you playing the Philidor now a days or in the past and did/do you study this player? I know you learned a lot from Nimzowitsch, but he didn't play this variation for so far I know.