I've seen today a weird opening.

This is a garbage opening.

Is it possible to play the Italian Game against this because an eventual ...Nc6 is likely, or is 3. d4 better?

Hey thanx you didn't hear about ''Morphy - Duke of Berlin''  Game? Lol

nice

Really nice checkmate there!

Rich,

Quite right.  Emil Diemer gave up the Latvian Gambit in correspondence play in favor of the Elephant Gambit.  He did not play the Philador at all.  That being only worth a draw (at best) in correspondence play. He was tactical and the Philador is too defensive.  Black might not get the initiative at all.  Black wins only if White makes a mistake.

you can get into a reverse kings indian atack, which plays really well in the counter atack if you can exchange your light squared bishop

1. e4   e5

2. Nf3 d6

3. d4

White will have the advantage, but being able to play f5 for Black in the future can give good counter play.  Considering White has the better game it is easier to play against weaker opponents rather than stronger ones.

Ytse_Ham, I agree. My chess coach taught me to avoid this (I used to always play this) becaus of the locked in bishop.

I've played 2 games using that opening.

I prefer the Elephant Gambit.

I have seen some very good Philador Defenses played  100 to 150 years ago.  Some games were played better than we play the defense today, where the pawn structure polymorphs into an attacking phase for Black.

i'm being played this on one of my games. Thanx 4 the tips.

   I have seen some pretty good Philadors played, but only when Black opens up the game.

   The Hungarian Defense might also be an option. 

1.e4  e5   2.Nf3  Nc6!?   3.Bc4  Be7.

   Does one want the QN posted at c6 or not?

I think that black has more powerful options.  This opens up one bishop after closing off another and doesn't seem to assert much control over the center with the pawn push.

As white, how would you guys respond to this?

I perfer bringing the knight out better

I just wonder why here aren't opening called "Philidor Defense, Vienna transportation"

1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 d6 3.Nc3

At least Chessmaster Grandmaster Edition gave me that to those moves...

I lost a game because of this stupid move.