Chess Openings → Modern Defense

Modern Defense: a flexible plan for Black on 1.e4

The Modern Defense begins with 1.e4 g6 — Black fianchettoes the bishop to g7 without committing to anything else yet. It's a hypermodern, flexible defense: instead of fighting for the center with pieces right away, Black first finishes developing the bishop, then strikes at White's center with ...c6 and ...d5 at a convenient moment.

In short: after 1.e4 g6 2.d4 Bg7 you play 3...c6, preparing the ...d5 strike — this plan works whether White develops the knight to c3 or to f3. Only against 3.c4 (the Botvinnik System with a big center) does Black switch to a calmer setup resembling the King's Indian Defense. The other White replies each have their own plan below. You can practice the full repertoire — with branches for every reasonable White try — in the opening trainer, free and without an account.

Starting position and the idea

Unlike its close cousin, the Pirc Defense (where the knight quickly lands on f6 and the bishop also goes to g7), in the Modern Defense Black holds off on developing the knight. Instead, Black plays ...c6, preparing the ...d5 strike at White's center. This strike works regardless of which knight White develops first — Nc3 or Nf3. After the exchange on d5, Black has an active bishop on g7 and a healthy position with no weaknesses. Only against the Botvinnik System (3.c4, a big pawn center of c4+d4) does the ...c6/...d5 plan work less well, so Black switches to a flexible setup closer to the King's Indian Defense.

White's three most common tries

• 3.Nc3 — White's most common, natural try. After 3...c6 4.Nf3 d5 5.exd5 cxd5, Black recaptures with the pawn, opening the file for the knight on b8 and keeping a solid structure; the bishop on g7 eyes the whole diagonal, and White's center is gone. Next: Nc6, Nf6, and short castling.
• 3.Nf3 — a different move order for the knights, but Black's plan doesn't change. After 3...c6 4.Bc4 d5 5.exd5 cxd5 6.Bb3 Nf6, Black finishes basic development; the d5 pawn is well defended, and the bishop on g7 stays active. Next: Nc6, short castling, and play against White's slightly weakened structure.
• 3.c4 (Botvinnik System) — White immediately builds a big pawn center, so Black plays differently: 3...d6 4.Nc3 Nf6 5.Nf3 0-0. The position resembles the King's Indian Defense, but without losing any tempo. Next: Nc6 or e5, striking at White's big center before it can advance.

Honestly, about this page's scope

The above is a sketch of the plan, not a full trainer with every branch and typical opponent mistakes. The full Modern Defense repertoire — including an exact evaluation of every line verified by the Stockfish engine — is waiting in the opening trainer inside the app. Before playing your first opening, it's also worth knowing the 5 rules that win most games — the Modern Defense is just one way of putting those rules into practice.

More openings (including the Italian Game, the Sicilian Defense, and the French Defense) are covered on the Chess Openings page. Want to practice these same principles right away against an opponent? Play a game against the computer at any difficulty level.

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