Editing Philidor Defence (section)

==Other 3rd moves for White==
An alternative approach for White is 3.Bc4, delaying d2–d4, or forgoing it entirely, playing d2–d3 instead. The move 3.Bc4 is also White's route to a possible [[Légal Trap]]. Some continuations: 
*3...Nc6 {{chessgloss|transposition|transposes}} to the [[Semi-Italian Opening]].<ref>Matanović 1997 (Vol C), p. 214, n. 1.</ref>  
*3...f5 is the [[Ruy López de Segura|López]] Countergambit:<ref>Hooper & Whyld 1996, p. 234. ''López Countergambit''.</ref> 
**4.d4 transposes to the [[#Philidor Countergambit|Philidor Countergambit]].<ref name=2C_note2 /> 
**Or unique positions can be obtained such as 4.d3 c6, possibly followed by ...f5–f4, ...b7–b5, ...a7–a5, and even ...g7–g5 and ...h7–h5, where all black pawns have moved before any piece.<ref>François André Philidor, ''Analyse du jeu des Échecs'', 1749.</ref>
*Or Black can try 3...Be7!?<ref name="2C_note2">Matanović 1981 (Vol C), p. 196, n. 2.</ref> e.g. 4.0-0 (4.c3 is the [[Wilhelm Steinitz|Steinitz]] Variation<ref>Hooper & Whyld 1996, p. 398. ''Steinitz Variation''.</ref>) Nf6 5.Re1 0-0 6.d4 exd4 7.Nxd4 a6.<ref>Kasparov & Keene 1982, p. 294.</ref>

Against the alternative 3.c3, Black can try 3...f5 (3...Nc6 4.d4 Nf6 transposes to the [[Ponziani Opening]]) 4.exf5 Bxf5 5.Qb3 Nf6 6.Ng5 d5 7.Qxb7 Nbd7 8.Qc6 Bd6 with {{chessgloss|compensation}} and {{chessgloss|initiative}}.<ref name=2C_note2 />