The Philidor Defense is a chess opening that arises after the moves 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 d6. It is named after the 18th-century French chess player François-André Danican Philidor, who emphasized the importance of pawn structure and solid defense. This opening aims to create a strong pawn formation while allowing for flexible piece development. In the Philidor Defense, Black seeks to maintain a solid position and counterattack later in the game. While it can lead to a somewhat passive setup, it offers opportunities for counterplay against White's central pawns. Players often choose this defense for its strategic depth and resilience.