Modern (Hyper-modern Chess Opening)

Modern

Definition

In chess parlance the single word Modern is most often a shorthand for the Modern Defense (also called the Modern Opening or Robatsch Defense), an opening that begins with the flexible fianchetto move 1…g6 against either 1.e4 or 1.d4. The opening belongs to the family of hyper-modern systems in which Black delays immediate occupation of the centre with pawns, instead exerting long-range pressure with pieces—especially the king’s-bishop on g7—before striking back with moves such as …c5, …e5 or …d5.

Usage in Chess Vocabulary

• As an opening name: “He answered 1.e4 with the Modern.”
• To distinguish a specific line: “The Modern with …a6 and …b5 is called the Tiger Modern after GM Tiger Hillarp Persson.”
• In ECO codes: B06 (1.e4 g6) and A42/A43 (1.d4 g6 and 1.d4 Bg7).

Strategic Ideas and Typical Plans

• Delayed centre occupation. Black often keeps the d- and e-pawns on their original squares, inviting White to build a broad pawn centre that can later be undermined.
• The g7-bishop. This piece aims at the e5 and d4 squares, helping to dismantle White’s centre or to support counterplay on the dark squares.
• Pawn breaks. The most thematic are …c5 (vs 1.e4 lines), …e5 (often after …d6), and …d5 (especially when White plays c4 early).
• Flexible move-order tricks. Because Black commits very little material at first, he can transpose into a Pirc, King’s Indian, Benoni, or even a Dragon Sicilian depending on White’s set-up.

Historical Significance

The Modern Defense rose to prominence in the 1950s and 60s thanks to Austrian IM Karl Robatsch, whose name is still attached to the opening in older literature. Its underlying philosophy, however, traces back to the hyper-modern revolution led by Aron Nimzowitsch and Richard Réti in the 1920s. Later practitioners included Duncan Suttles (Canada), whose original handling earned the line renewed respect, and Grandmasters such as Tiger Hillarp Persson, Pavel Tregubov, and Aleksander Delchev, who have produced modern monographs refining its theory.

Illustrative Game

The following short classic shows the dynamic potential of the opening when Black times his central counterstrike correctly.

White: Fischer – Black: Panno, Buenos Aires 1970
A seemingly modest setup with …g6 and …Bg7 explodes into tactical action after the thematic …c5 break.

Related Terms

• Hyper-modern school
• Pirc Defense (1.e4 d6 2.d4 Nf6 3.Nc3 g6)
• King’s Indian Defense (1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 Bg7)
• Benoni structures arising after …c5 against d-pawns

Interesting Facts & Anecdotes

• A popular sideline featuring …a6 and …b5 is nicknamed the “Tiger Modern” after GM Tiger Hillarp Persson, whose original analysis rejuvenated the variation in the 2000s.
• The defense is a favourite surprise weapon in blitz and rapid play because its flexible move order makes pre-game preparation for White difficult.
• In the late 1960s Karl Robatsch was better known as a world-class orchid botanist than as a chess player; tournament bulletins would joke that opponents were being “choked by orchids” when they fell victim to his pet opening.
• Engines initially evaluated the Modern cautiously, but with depth they often show near equality—even against 1.e4—highlighting the robustness of hyper-modern principles in the computer age.