Kings Fianchetto Opening Reversed Modern Defense
King’s Fianchetto Opening
Definition
The King’s Fianchetto Opening is the umbrella term for any position reached after the very first move 1. g3 by White. It belongs to the “irregular” A-series of the ECO (A00) because it does not stake an immediate claim in the centre. Instead, White prepares to fianchetto the king’s bishop with Bg2, pointing it down the long a1–h8 diagonal.
How the Opening Is Used
- Flexibility: 1.g3 postpones a direct commitment to the central pawns, allowing White to transpose into a King’s Indian Attack, Catalan-style set-ups, English-type structures, or even reversed versions of Black systems such as the Modern or Pirc.
- Rapid castling: The move sequence g3, Bg2, Nf3, O-O can be rattled off quickly in rapid and blitz games, giving White a safe king and plenty of time on the clock.
- Psychological weapon: Because concrete theory is thin compared with 1.e4 or 1.d4, the opening often steers opponents into unfamiliar territory early on.
Strategic Themes
- Diagonal pressure. After Bg2, the bishop eyes the a8 rook and often supports breaks with c4 or e4.
- Delayed centre. Typical pawn breaks include d3–e4 (King’s Indian Attack style) or c4–d4 (resembling the Catalan).
- Minor-piece manoeuvres. Knights frequently reach c3, d2 or e2 before the central pawn structure is fully clarified.
Historical Notes
Early champions of the move 1.g3 included Savielly Tartakower and Richard Réti. The fianchetto craze gained momentum after World War II thanks to Bronstein and Smyslov. In the computer era, AlphaZero’s fondness for long-diagonal bishops gave fresh respectability to the opening.
Illustrative Example
After nine moves the position has the calm appearance of a King’s Indian Attack. White has completed development while Black still chooses how to arrange the central pawns.
Interesting Facts & Anecdotes
- Carlsen’s surprise. Magnus Carlsen used 1.g3 to defeat Hikaru Nakamura in the 2015 Qatar Masters rapid playoff, steering the U.S. grandmaster away from his well-prepared Sicilian lines.
- “Tartakower’s Toilet.” The tongue-in-cheek nickname comes from Tartakower’s habit of “flushing away” established theory with offbeat moves like 1.g3.
Reversed Modern Defense (A variation of the King’s Fianchetto Opening)
Definition
The term Reversed Modern Defense describes positions in which White adopts the piece placement Black normally employs in the Modern Defense (1…g6, …Bg7, …d6, …e5) but with an extra tempo. It usually arises from the move order 1.g3 g6 2.Bg2 Bg7 3.c4 d6 4.Nc3 e5. Because the colours are flipped, White enjoys the additional move and can challenge the centre earlier.
Typical Move Order
1.g3 g6 2.Bg2 Bg7 3.c4 d6 4.Nc3 e5 5.d3 f5 leads to a mirror image of the main-line Modern Defense but with colours reversed. The position can also be reached from an English Opening after 1.c4 g6 2.g3 Bg7 3.Bg2 d6.
Strategic & Tactical Features
- Extra tempo leverage: With an extra move, White can hit the centre faster via d4 or f4 before Black completes development.
- “Poisoned” centre: If Black copies plans blindly (…c6, …a6, …b5), White’s earlier pressure on d5 and e5 squares can become decisive.
- King safety trade-off: Both players castle kingside quickly, making opposite-wing pawn storms unlikely; play revolves around central breaks and minor-piece activity.
Historical Significance
The label “Reversed Modern” gained traction in the 1970s when players like
Model Game
[[Pgn| g3|g6|Bg2|Bg7|c4|d6|Nc3|e5|e3|f5|Nge2|Nf6|d4|O-O|O-O|]]After 14 moves the position mirrors the Pirc/Modern structure, but White has already occupied d4 and enjoys more space.
Interesting Nuggets
- Database surprise rate: In master play, the Reversed Modern appears in fewer than 2 % of games that begin with 1.g3, making it an effective surprise weapon.
- Engine verdict: Top engines usually grant White a small but persistent advantage (± 0.30 – 0.50) thanks to the extra tempo, yet Black’s position remains strategically rich and double-edged.
- “Modern reversed feels ancient.” GM Nigel Short quipped that the line is “what happens when White plays the Modern before Black gets the chance,” highlighting the ironic time-reversal at work.