ECO code: B06
Modern Defense
Moves: 1. e4 g6 2. d4 Bg7
FEN: rnbqk1nr/ppppppbp/6p1/8/3PP3/8/PPP2PPP/RNBQKBNR w KQkq - 1 3
The Modern Defense is characterized by Black's hypermodern approach, where Black allows White to occupy the center early with pawns while aiming to undermine and attack that center later with pieces and pawns. The early ...g6 and ...Bg7 fianchetto the bishop, giving Black strong long-range pressure on the central light squares.
From White's perspective, this opening is typically attacking as White establishes a strong pawn center on d4 and e4. Black's setup is more defensive initially, focusing on flexibility and counterattacking chances rather than immediate confrontation.
The opening does involve contesting the center, but in an indirect way. White takes the center with pawns early on, while Black attacks the center from a distance, aiming to challenge and destabilize White's control later in the game.
This opening is defined by the position shown on the board below. The moves displayed are a typical sequence that leads to it, but different sequences can reach the same position and still carry the same opening name.
Practice puzzles and train your tactics with real positions from games that used the Modern Defense, and sharpen your opening mastery.
Puzzle 1 of 133 - Move #6 white
You can also discover how top players used Modern Defense to leverage key strategies to secure victories in these classic matchups.