♞Chess Trainer
B06bPlay as Black2 lines to train

Learn the Modern Defense

A hypermodern defense that allows White to occupy the center before attacking it from the wings. Black aims to fianchetto quickly and undermine the center with c5 or e5.

Practice this openingUnderstand the moves
Main line

1. e4 g6 2. d4 Bg7 3. Nc3 d6

1.e41…g62.d42…Bg73.Nc33…d6

The idea

Why this opening works

The Modern Defense gives Black a clear route to fianchetto quickly and undermine the center with c5 or e5. Its recurring positions revolve around space, the g7 bishop, and delayed central contact, so the repertoire rewards understanding the structure as much as remembering the move order.

What to remember

  • Know the first 6 half-moves of the main line.
  • Understand the purpose of your key moves before adding more theory.
  • Practice the branches until you can respond without move-order guessing.

Move by move

The moves worth understanding

Theory sticks when every move has a job. Start with these ideas from the trainer.

Scroll down through 5 positions

  1. Position 1 of 5

    1...g6

    g7 → g6

    g6 begins the Modern Defense plan: fianchetto quickly and undermine the center with c5 or e5.

  2. Position 2 of 5

    2...Bg7

    f8 → g7

    Bg7 activates the bishop on a diagonal that supports the opening’s central and kingside ideas.

  3. Position 3 of 5

    3...d6

    d7 → d6

    d6 reinforces the center and prepares the next piece-development or pawn-break decision.

  4. Position 4 of 5

    3...c6

    c7 → c6

    c6 changes the queenside structure and supports the opening’s main counterplay.

  5. Position 5 of 5

    4...d5

    d7 → d5

    d5 reinforces the center and prepares the next piece-development or pawn-break decision.

Trainer variations

Lines you’ll meet

These are representative branches from the drill, not a demand to memorize everything at once.

Line 11. e4 g6 2. d4 Bg7 3. Nc3 d6
Line 21. e4 g6 2. d4 Bg7 3. Nc3 c6 4. f4 d5

Quick answers

Modern Defense questions

What is the Modern Defense?

A hypermodern defense that allows White to occupy the center before attacking it from the wings. Black aims to fianchetto quickly and undermine the center with c5 or e5. The Modern Defense gives Black a clear route to fianchetto quickly and undermine the center with c5 or e5. Its recurring positions revolve around space, the g7 bishop, and delayed central contact, so the repertoire rewards understanding the structure as much as remembering the move order.

What is the main line of the Modern Defense?

This trainer starts with 1. e4 g6 2. d4 Bg7 3. Nc3 d6. The exact move order can change by variation, so learn the purpose of each move as well as the sequence.

Is the Modern Defense good to learn as Black?

It can be a useful part of a Black repertoire if its positions match how you like to play. Learn the main plan first, then use the drill to test the recurring replies.

Study next

B20bSicilian DefenseFight for the initiative as Black with 1...c5 — asymmetric and combative.1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Be2 e5C00bFrench DefenseA resilient and strategic defense to 1.e4 with 1...e6.1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e5 c5 5. a3 Bxc3+B10bCaro-Kann DefenseA rock-solid defense to 1.e4 with 1...c6 — reliable structure and easy development.1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 dxe4 4. Nxe4 Bf5 5. Ng3 Bg6 6. h4 h6 7. Nf3 Nd7

Turn the guide into recall

Now play the Modern Defense from memory.

The drill gives you an opponent reply, checks your response, and repeats the branches that need more work.

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