Chessda

Modern Defense

The Modern Defense (ECO A04–B27) is a chess opening that begins 1. e4 g6.

Modern Defense — after 1. e4 g6

The main line

The Modern Defense is reached by 1. e4 g6 (ECO B06). It's one of 39 named lines under this opening in the book.

Named variations (26)

  • Semi-Averbakh Variation — 1. Nf3 c5 2. c4 g6 3. d4 Bg7 4. e4 Qb6 (A04)
  • Bishop Attack — 1. e4 g6 2. d4 Bg7 3. Bc4 (B06)
  • Two Knights Variation — 1. e4 g6 2. d4 Bg7 3. Nc3 d6 4. Nf3 (B06)
  • Norwegian Defense — 1. e4 g6 2. d4 Nf6 (B06)
  • Lizard Defense — 1. d4 g6 2. h4 Nf6 3. h5 (A40)
  • Mongredien Defense — 1. e4 g6 2. d4 Bg7 3. Nc3 b6 (B06)
  • Fianchetto Gambit — 1. e4 g6 2. d4 f5 (B06)
  • Three Pawns Attack — 1. e4 g6 2. d4 Bg7 3. f4 (B06)
  • Standard Line — 1. e4 g6 2. d4 Bg7 3. Nc3 (B06)
  • Westermann Gambit — 1. e4 g6 2. d4 Bg7 3. Bd2 (B06)
  • Wind Gambit — 1. e4 g6 2. d4 Bg7 3. Bd3 (B06)
  • Neo-Modern Defense — 1. d4 g6 2. c4 Bg7 3. e4 e5 (A41)
  • Modern Pterodactyl — 1. e4 g6 2. d4 Bg7 3. Nc3 c5 (B06)
  • Standard Defense — 1. e4 g6 2. d4 Bg7 3. Nc3 d6 (B06)
  • Averbakh System — 1. d4 g6 2. c4 Bg7 3. Nc3 d6 4. e4 (A42)
  • Pseudo-Austrian Attack — 1. e4 g6 2. d4 Bg7 3. Nc3 d6 4. f4 (B06)
  • Geller's System — 1. e4 g6 2. d4 Bg7 3. Nf3 d6 4. c3 (B07)
  • Randspringer Variation — 1. d4 g6 2. c4 Bg7 3. Nc3 d6 4. e4 f5 (A42)
  • Kotov Variation — 1. d4 g6 2. c4 Bg7 3. Nc3 d6 4. e4 Nc6 (A42)
  • Pterodactyl Variation — 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 g6 3. d4 Bg7 4. Nc3 Qa5 (B27)
  • Averbakh Variation — 1. d4 g6 2. c4 Bg7 3. e4 d6 4. Be3 Nf6 5. f3 (A42)
  • Anti-Modern — 1. e4 g6 2. d4 Bg7 3. Nc3 c6 4. Bc4 d6 5. Qe2 (B06)
  • Gurgenidze Defense — 1. e4 g6 2. d4 Bg7 3. Nc3 c6 4. f4 d5 5. e5 h5 (B06)
  • Beefeater Variation — 1. d4 g6 2. c4 Bg7 3. Nc3 c5 4. d5 Bxc3+ 5. bxc3 f5 (A40)
  • Dunworthy Variation — 1. e4 g6 2. d4 Bg7 3. c4 d5 4. exd5 c6 5. dxc6 Bxd4 (B06)
  • Masur Gambit — 1. e4 g6 2. d4 Nh6 3. Nc3 f5 4. Bxh6 Bxh6 5. exf5 O-O (B06)

Analyze the Modern Defense

Play through this opening on the free analysis board, or review one of your own gamesto see how accurately you handled it — every move classified, with the engine's best line on each mistake.

← Back to all chess openings. New to opening study? See move classifications and the glossary.