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How to Play the Philidor Defense || Lion Defense Structures || Chess Openings for Black

NM Sean Lei

65,033 views

In today's chess video on chess openings for black, we will be discussing my beloved Philidor Defense and its Lion Defense structures. Hopefully this video gives you a brief understanding of why I love this opening so much and why it's my goto opening despite many players disliking it and making fun of it.

If you have any questions concerning chess write your question in the comments below and you can have a chance of being featured in the next video!
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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 seanleichessdevelopment@gmail.com for me to make a video analyzing your game.

20 Comments

@giestinejohnboniao908 5 years ago

Nakamura: There's other better opening than Philidor Defense.
Also him: *Plays Bongcloud opening and destroys 2900+ GM.

@andreitiberiovicgazdovici 5 years ago

The Philidor Defense was my father's go to opening, he just loved It, so i faced these positions A Lot😆 Good video!👍

@NMSeanLei Creator 6 years ago

Do you have any questions about the Philidor Defense? If so, make sure to ask as I am always happy to answer!!!

@JimmyWesley-k5i 2 months ago

I just started learning the yesterday. Thanks for the video.

@miltonswan196 2 years ago

I'm happy to have found this opening, and having alot of success, and fun with it. This will be my go to weapon to destroy my opponent. I'm learning to transpose ( hide ) my intentions until they find out it's way to late to run for cover.

@graychess4217 5 years ago

NM Sean don’t take it personal that I humbly criticized the gambit in your delayed alapin video ! I’m learning a great deal from you in those lines and these philidor lines as well. This video is very useful directly and indirectly to some classical lines in the ‘Pirc’, ‘K.I.D’, and even the Russian game especially on the Queenside. Lastly, I will definitely be applying that “ Great Wall “ line to my repertoire ! So thanks Sean , looking forward to more of your content ! 👍

@steveburgoon3674 3 years ago

Thank you. Clear instructions. Also flexible for people who play the Czech Pirc.

@RenewsMyStrength 4 years ago

Been playing this a while after watching your live games and instructional videos,this would be a great chessable course...

@phidybee3334 4 years ago

I started playing the piric last year and when i reviewed it stockfish recommended what I'm calling the delayed philidor or i guess the lion, the best thing about it is you can play it against 1 e4 1 d4 the London, the English and pretty much anything and unlike the piric u don't display your intentions with early fianchetto, having lots of bullet success with it right now

@2010Soundmaster 5 years ago

Very encouraging video got yourself a sub! Found myself playing philidor defense randomly after getting tired of doing meh with sicilian structures. Came into the mid game with a much more comfortabke structure than usual. The moves came very natural and as you said many opponents especially in intermediate level dont play perfect against it. Got really upset when i tried to find a philidor video for black and found almost nothing... glad i found your channel and the system you recommend. Im sure its gonna improve my plan making and fun in chess since playing meta openings in around 1700 online elo already became kinda frustrating. Thanks a lot keep up the content!

@jonathanphillips1196 5 years ago

Fantastic video and fantastic series. I'll probably start recommending this opening as well as your channel to my HS students. Thanks for making this, and good luck growing on YouTube!

@N1kolov777 4 years ago

Man you are amazing. I hope you achieve all your goals. This is incredible info I tried to play the philidor before but from your video I saw I made blunders. Cheers!

@romyt9816 1 year ago

I like it because there are only few lines. I came across this channel after playing Lions + Chinese wall without knowing

@fadlialgadri9816 5 months ago

Good

@هنرکدهسنتیابریشم 1 month ago

🎉

@danno1800 4 years ago

A great video — thanks! You have a real gift for teaching chess. I am looking forward to the other Philidor videos. I have SUBSCRIBED…thanks again!

@richardnadeau7882 3 years ago

So glad I found your YouTube channel. I've been playing 1...d6 as a universal opening, but was never comfortable with the Black Lion chaos as described by GingerGM. I prefer a more positional approach and was never quite sure about the overall game plan. You have a gift for making the ideas understandable and logical. Keep posting. (former Hart House chess club member )