Modern Defense - hypermodern Black opening
Modern Defense
Definition
The Modern Defense (also called the Robatsch Defense, ECO codes B06–B07) is a hypermodern opening for Black that begins after 1…g6, most commonly reached via 1.e4 g6 or 1.d4 g6. Black defers immediate confrontation in the center, instead fianchettoing the king’s bishop to g7 and striking back at White’s pawn center with moves such as …d6, …c5 or …e5. Unlike the Pirc Defense">Pirc Defense, the knight on g8 is typically developed to f6 only after Black has decided how to challenge the center, giving the Modern a more flexible—and at times more provocative—character.
Typical Move-Orders
The opening can arise from many transpositions; two core setups are:
- Against 1.e4: 1.e4 g6 2.d4 Bg7 3.Nc3 d6
– Here Black waits to choose between …c6 & …d5, …c5, or …Nf6 & …e5. - Against 1.d4: 1.d4 g6 2.c4 Bg7 3.Nc3 d6
– White often continues with 4.e4 transposing to the same tabiya as the line above.
Core Strategic Ideas
- Hypermodern Control: Black allows White to occupy the center with pawns, planning to undermine it later with pawn breaks (…c5, …e5, …d5) and piece pressure from g7.
- Flexible Knight Development: The g8-knight can stay at home (…Nf6, …Ne7, or even …Nh6) depending on White’s setup, giving Black “asymmetric” options that aim for unbalanced middlegames.
- Counter-attacking Potential: By keeping the position fluid, Black aims to lure White’s central pawns forward where they can be targeted.
- King Safety vs. Center Timing: Black commonly castles kingside very early to bring the rook to the f-file, but some adventurous practitioners postpone castling to create sharper play.
Main Variations
- Modern–Averbakh (4.Be3): After 1.e4 g6 2.d4 Bg7 3.Nc3 d6 4.Be3.
White overprotects the d4-pawn and prepares Qd2 & long castling. - Modern–Fletcher (4.f4): 1.e4 g6 2.d4 Bg7 3.Nc3 d6 4.f4.
An aggressive setup aiming for e4-e5. Black may reply …c6 & …Qb6 to hit d4. - Modern with …c5: 1.e4 g6 2.d4 Bg7 3.Nc3 c5!?.
Directly challenging d4, sometimes called the “Sniper” approach when combined with …b6. - Gurgenidze System: …c6, …a6, …b5 aiming for queenside expansion and dark-square control.
Historical Background & Notable Practitioners
The line gained prominence in the 1950-60s thanks to Austrian GM Karl Robatsch, whose name is still linked to the opening. It fit the emerging hypermodern trend exemplified by Nimzowitsch: control the center with pieces instead of occupying it with pawns.
- Bent Larsen used the Modern to surprise Botvinnik in exhibition play and regularly at top events.
- Viktor Korchnoi employed it in his 1974 Candidates’ matches, praising its flexibility.
- Hikaru Nakamura and Magnus Carlsen have both essayed the Modern in rapid & blitz to take opponents out of book early.
Model Game
The following miniature shows both the risks and rewards of the Modern:
Black’s pieces spring to life once the dark-squared center collapses. Although double-edged, this illustrates the latent attacking power of the fianchettoed bishop and delayed knight development.
Sample Position to Visualize
After moves 1.e4 g6 2.d4 Bg7 3.Nc3 d6 4.Nf3 a6, the board often looks like this (White to move):
a b c d e f g h 8 r b q k r n r 7 p p p p p p 6 p . p (Black’s bishop on g7 eyes the long diagonal) 5 4 P P 3 N N 2 P P P P P P P P 1 R N B Q K B R
Pros & Cons at a Glance
- Pros
- High flexibility & chance to sidestep heavy opening theory.
- Rich counter-attacking prospects amid unbalanced pawn structures.
- Good practical weapon in rapid/blitz where surprise value is magnified.
- Cons
- Concedes space early; inaccurate play can leave Black cramped.
- Requires precise timing of pawn breaks; passive play yields a passive position.
- Well-prepared opponents can transpose to favorable Pirc or King’s Indian setups.
Interesting Facts & Anecdotes
- The adjective “modern” distinguishes this defense from the 19th-century view that central pawn occupation was mandatory. Ironically, the Modern Defense is now over 60 years old!
- Karl Robatsch was also a noted orchidologist (orchid scientist); chess legend has it that he sometimes annotated games with sketches of flowers alongside variations.
- In 2010 Magnus Carlsen used a Modern-style setup (…g6, …Bg7, …d6, …c6) to beat former World Champion Vladimir Kramnik in a blitz event, prompting commentator Garry Kasparov to joke that “hypermodern may again be modern.”
When to Add the Modern Defense to Your Repertoire
Choose the Modern if you:
- Enjoy flexible setups with dynamic potential.
- Prefer to steer opponents away from heavy theory.
- Are willing to study middlegame plans and pawn-break timing rather than memorizing long forcing lines.