Thoughts on the Philidor defence?

I have been using the Philidor defence in a few more games recently. By coincidence, I have also been facing it more. I don't have great opening knowledge, but at the moment I don't mind it so much. 

Can you give me some advice on the pros and cons of playing it? 

Thank you

Pro: simple and straightforward.

Con: passive.

You should delay it by playing the move order d6 Nf6 Nbd7 e5, with the 3rd and 4th moves sometimes able to be swapped.
Also:
Pros:
- Very few white players really know what they're doing against it, even at expert/master level.
- Fairly easy to play from a prep standpoint, though you do have to know the main lines of the improved hanham and the Austrian.
-Clearly sound, with increasing respect and play at GM level.
Cons:
-??????

There's also quite a few good books on it, such as the fairly newly released A Cunning Chess Opening for Black: Lure Your Opponent Into the Philidor Swamp, though that mostly focuses on the queen exchange after e4 d6 d4 Nf6 Nc3 e5.

if you play the d6 move order everyone swaps queens so play 1...e5

Swapping queens is good for black. I play that move order even against people below me with great results. It isn't just a simple draw. Don't want the queen exchange? Play e4 d6 d4 Nf6 Nc6 Nbd7 Nf3 e5. Easy. And this is a better move order than playing e5 on move one.

Be careful! Repeating lame philidor moves in every game without thinking causes brain damage. Other disadvantages are lowered tactical vision and bad decision making in all positions. I warned you...

Here is a good variation against the philidor. Works everytime:

This wins everytime because philidor players can't deviate from "theory" h6, Nf8, g5, Ng6 will be played in everygame without thinking.

Don't listen to #7 and 8. They don't know what they're talking about. I've played chess for 5 years, playing a delayed Philidor the entire time, and have a peak less than 20 points from master. Not only that, I do better with black than white! I'll throw out a demonstration of some of the lines, as well as cover the old Indian, in case you want to play the same stuff against d4 c4

lol

Alright, I threw this together. This is very far from a comprehensive guide, but I tried to get as much in there as I could. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask.

Pros: strong reliable defence.

Cons: passive.

Ok, There are quite a few mixed opinions as expected. I will get to most of the other responses in time, but to the people saying that the Phildor defence is bad - do you have any suggestions of a better response to 2. Nf3?

solid but passive...maybe there is a sharp line, I´m not sure

Not difficult to recommend 2...Nc6 or 2...Nf6 : u develop piece and don't create a cramped position (if u play closed philidor, i call open philidor with exd4 soon).

Nevertheless Philidor defence is quite good but not easy to handle. 2...Nc6 is more educational and 2...Nf6 can be depressing for white because highly difficult to find a white advantage and create something. But this is for high level players, for you everything is playable.

Did u notice many players prefer Pirc move order?

There is some reason but i don't see anyone explaining it (a bit ridiculous isn't it)...

I can if u want but that's another story...

Pros will play it because they know what they're doing.

Noobs will play it because they have no idea what they're doing.

Not many people in between play it.

{I saw a similar comment to this a while ago, and I agree}

If you're looking to play the philidor then take a look at Jobava Baadur's games. 

http://www.chessgames.com/player/baadur_jobava.html

 

 I played against  Philidor and Lion and they are not easy defense  to play against because of their dynamic quality in their defense. 

 

 Mickynj, GMs play the Philidor and its a very tricky opening; the defense is very playable.

Ok thanks for that. I will try having a look at that move order when i can

With this line did you mean (3. Nc3)? The current line gives two moves in a row for black (which I wouldn't mind, but can't have unfortunately)

 In Master Games here on this site, 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 d6 (2...d6 is the third most common response here) has a win rate of 45 percent for white, 28 percent draws and 27 percent for black. 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 (the most common response) wins 37 percent of the time for white, 36 percent end up in draws and 27 percent end up in wins for black. That's a pretty dramatic difference.