Modern Defence - Hyper-modern Black Opening
Modern Defence
Definition
The Modern Defence (sometimes called the Robatsch Defence) is an asymmetric, hyper-modern opening for Black that begins with the flexible fianchetto of the king’s bishop: 1…g6. Unlike classical openings, Black does not stake an early claim in the centre with pawns; instead, the strategy is to allow White to occupy the centre and then undermine it with timely pawn breaks (…d6, …e5, …c5) and piece pressure. The ECO codes most frequently associated with the Modern Defence are B06 and B07.
Typical Move Order
A representative sequence is:
1. e4 g6 2. d4 Bg7 3. Nc3 d6
• If White opens with 1. d4, Black can reach a Modern set-up by 1…g6 2. c4 Bg7 3. Nc3 d6.
• Transpositions to the Pirc Defence often occur after …Nf6 and …d6; however, in the pure Modern Defence,
Black keeps the knight on g8 flexible and may delay …Nf6 for several moves.
Core Ideas and Strategic Themes
- Hyper-modern philosophy: Control the centre from a distance with pieces and well-timed pawn breaks rather than immediate occupation.
- The fianchettoed bishop: The dark-squared bishop on g7 is the cornerstone, exerting long-range pressure on the light squares (especially e5 and d4).
- Pawn breaks: …e5 and …c5 strike at White’s centre; …d5 is rarer but possible in some lines.
- Flexible knight development: Black may choose between …Nf6, …Ne7, or even …Nd7, depending on circumstances.
- Structure over tempo: Black is often willing to concede space and a small lead in development in return for a resilient, counter-punching structure.
Main Variations
- Classical (Averbakh) System: 1. e4 g6 2. d4 Bg7 3. Nc3 d6 4. Nf3 (or 4. Be3) and then 4…Nf6 or 4…a6.
- Three Pawns Attack: 1. e4 g6 2. d4 Bg7 3. f4 d6 4. Nf3 – a sharp, aggressive set-up for White aiming at e5.
- 4. c3 Variation: 1. e4 g6 2. d4 Bg7 3. Nc3 d6 4. c3 – White prepares d4–d5 and a broad pawn centre.
- Anti-Modern Systems:
- Barry-style development after 1. d4 g6 2. Nf3 Bg7 3. Bf4.
- Fianchetto Variation: 1. d4 g6 2. c4 Bg7 3. g3.
- Gurgenidze (…c6 & …b5) System: 1. e4 g6 2. d4 Bg7 3. Nc3 c6 4. Nf3 d6 5. h3 b5!?
Historical Notes
• The defence rose to prominence in the 1950-60s thanks to Austrian GM Karl Robatsch, whose name is still
attached to the opening in some literature.
• The “Modern” label dates from the hyper-modern revolution of the 1920s, championed by
Richard Réti and Aron Nimzowitsch, though the exact move order had appeared in games as early as the
19th century.
• In contemporary practice, elite grandmasters such as
Veselin Topalov, Alexei Shirov, and Ian Nepomniachtchi have used the Modern as
a surprise or must-win weapon.
Model Games
-
Fischer – Robatsch, Buenos Aires 1970
Fischer calmly built up with 4. Nf3 and 5. Be2, eventually exploiting the looseness of Black’s queenside after an ambitious …c5 break. The game is often cited as a textbook example of how to meet premature counterplay in the Modern Defence. -
Topalov – Kamsky, Candidates 2009
Black unleashed the Gurgenidze System with …c6 and …b5, demonstrating that sharp counter-attacking chances can arise even against the world’s best players. -
Carlsen – Nepomniachtchi, London 2017 (Blitz)
A rapid-fire encounter in which Nepomniachtchi’s delayed …Nf6 and quick …e5 allowed him to seize the initiative against the World Champion’s centre.
Interesting Facts and Anecdotes
- For many years, the Modern Defence carried a reputation as “dubious” at master level because it allows White an imposing pawn centre. Modern engines, however, confirm its objective soundness.
- The line 1. e4 g6 2. d4 Bg7 3. Nc3 c5!? is sometimes humorously dubbed the “Sniper” because Black strikes at d4 from a long distance, in line with the fianchetto bishop’s “rifle scope.”
- In Kasparov vs. Deep Blue, 1997, Kasparov considered playing the Modern Defence in a must-win situation but eventually opted for 1…e5, quipping that computers were “too concrete” to be lured by hyper-modern subtleties.
Typical Plans for Both Sides
For White:
- Establish a broad pawn centre with e4–d4 (and sometimes c3 or f4).
- Develop pieces harmoniously: Nc3, Nf3, Be3/Bg5, Qd2, and long castling in certain attacking lines.
- Advance e4–e5 or d4–d5 to gain space and cramp Black’s position.
For Black:
- Undermine the centre with …c5 or …e5 (occasionally both).
- Place knights on f6, d7, or e7 to increase pressure on d4 and e5.
- Use the half-open g-file after …gxf5 (in f-pawn lines) or exploit queenside expansion with …b5 and …a6.
Common Tactical Motifs
- Exchange sacrifice on c3 or e4: …Bxc3+ followed by …Nxe4 can rip open the centre when White lags in development.
- Queen-side pawn storms: …b5–b4 to dislodge the c3-knight and target d4.
- Diagonal pins: …Bg7 targets d4; tactical shots often arise after White’s e4–e5, when …dxe5 and …Qxd4 can appear.
Summary
The Modern Defence is a dynamic, flexible choice for players who relish unbalanced pawn structures, delayed central confrontation, and rich middlegame play. While it concedes space in the opening, it rewards precise calculation and a deep understanding of positional pressure, making it a formidable weapon—“modern” in spirit even a century after its conceptual birth.