Openings

Modern Defense

1.d4 d6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7

The Modern Defense can be played against either 1.d4 or 1.e4 (or even 1.Nf3) and involves the fianchetto of Black's king's bishop against White's pawn center. For the game to be a Modern Defense, Black must avoid transposing to other openings by playing an early ...Nf6.

Pros:

  • Extremely flexible
  • Little theory
  • Unbalancing

Cons:

  • White's space advantage
  • White has attacking chances
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