Opening Overview
Modern Defense
39 linesAbout This Opening
Black fianchettos early and challenges White with flexible, hypermodern play.
The opening usually invites White to occupy space, then challenges that center with piece pressure, pawn breaks, and flexible development.
In practice, the key is to know when to strike at the center and when to keep pieces flexible, because the wrong timing can leave the position passive.
Key ideas
- Typical theme: pressure on the center rather than immediate occupation.
- Common plans include fianchetto setups and timely pawn breaks.
- Best for players who like asymmetry and counterplay.
- Study the transition from setup to active central challenge.
Choose a variation
Modern Defense: Mongredien Defense, with Nf3
1. e4 g6 2. d4 Bg7 3. Nf3 b6
Modern Defense: Norwegian Defense
1. e4 g6 2. d4 Nf6
Modern Defense: Norwegian Defense, Norwegian Gambit
1. e4 g6 2. d4 Nf6 3. e5 Nh5 4. Be2 d6
Modern Defense: Pseudo-Austrian Attack
1. e4 g6 2. d4 Bg7 3. Nc3 d6 4. f4
Modern Defense: Semi-Averbakh Variation, Pterodactyl Variation Declined
1. e4 g6 2. d4 Bg7 3. c4 c5 4. Nf3 d6 5. Be2 Qa5+
Modern Defense: Standard Defense
1. e4 g6 2. d4 Bg7 3. Nc3 d6
Modern Defense: Standard Line
1. e4 g6 2. d4 Bg7 3. Nc3
Modern Defense: Three Pawns Attack
1. e4 g6 2. d4 Bg7 3. f4
Modern Defense: Two Knights Variation
1. e4 g6 2. d4 Bg7 3. Nc3 d6 4. Nf3
Modern Defense: Two Knights Variation, Suttles Variation
1. e4 g6 2. d4 Bg7 3. Nc3 c6 4. Nf3 d6
Modern Defense: Two Knights Variation, Suttles Variation, Tal Gambit
1. e4 g6 2. d4 Bg7 3. Nc3 d6 4. Nf3 c6 5. Bg5 Qb6 6. Qd2 Qxb2
Modern Defense: Westermann Gambit
1. e4 g6 2. d4 Bg7 3. Bd2