Modern Defense
ECO A42-B06intermediate
The Modern Defense, 1...g6 against anything, is maximum flexibility distilled: Black fianchettoes first, watches White commit, and only then chooses the counterstrike — ...c5 against broad centers, ...e5 against classical ones, ...d5 against overextension. It differs from the Pirc by delaying ...Nf6, keeping the f-pawn free for ...f5 ideas and avoiding e5-tempo hits. The price of infinite flexibility is razor-thin margins: White gets the center for free, and one slow Black move can mean a permanent squeeze.
Main line
1.d4 g6 2.c4 Bg7 3.Nc3 d6 4.e4 e5 5.d5 f5 6.exf5 gxf5 7.Qh5+ Kf8
Diagram shows the position after 6 half-moves of the main line. On SpeakChess you can drill this line move by move — the trainer plays the other side and corrects you instantly, then spaced repetition schedules each variation so you review it right before you would forget it.
Win rates by rating
Results from real online games, measured after the line shown in each row. Most opening sites show one aggregate number — how an opening scores depends heavily on who is playing it.
| Rating | Games | White wins | Draws | Black wins | Position after |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 400-600 | 164 | 42.1% | 3.7% | 54.3% | 1.d4 g6 |
| 600-800 | 43 | 41.9% | 0% | 58.1% | 1.d4 g6 2.c4 Bg7 3.Nc3 |
| 800-1000 | 35 | 57.1% | 0% | 42.9% | 1.d4 g6 2.c4 Bg7 3.Nc3 d6 4.e4 Nf6 5.Nf3 O-O 6.Be2 |
| 1000-1200 | 77 | 55.8% | 3.9% | 40.3% | 1.d4 g6 2.c4 Bg7 3.Nc3 d6 4.e4 Nf6 5.Nf3 O-O 6.Be2 e5 |
| 1200-1400 | 196 | 43.4% | 2% | 54.6% | 1.d4 g6 2.c4 Bg7 3.Nc3 d6 4.e4 Nf6 5.Nf3 O-O 6.Be2 e5 |
Most played continuations (1200-1400 rating)
After 1.d4 g6 2.c4 Bg7 3.Nc3 d6 4.e4 Nf6 5.Nf3 O-O 6.Be2 e5:
- d5 — played 53.1% of the time (White wins 43.3%, draws 1.9%, Black wins 54.8%)
- dxe5 — played 23% of the time (White wins 37.8%, draws 4.4%, Black wins 57.8%)
- O-O — played 16.3% of the time (White wins 50%, draws 0%, Black wins 50%)
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between the Modern and the Pirc?
The knight on g8. By delaying ...Nf6 the Modern avoids e4-e5 tempo gains, keeps ...f5 available, and can meet c4 setups with a King's Indian feel — but cedes White even more central latitude. Many players use them as one repertoire, choosing the knight's moment by White's setup.
Who should play the Modern Defense?
Experienced counterpunchers who relish unbalanced, plan-driven middlegames and don't mind defending slightly worse positions for winning chances. It is a poor fit for beginners — the position-judgment demands are high — but a lifetime weapon for players who understand when each break works.
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