Modern Defense: Standard Two Knights Small Center
Modern Defense
Definition
The Modern Defense (sometimes spelled “Modern Defence” and coded B06–B09 in the ECO) is a hyper-modern chess opening in which Black allows White to occupy the centre with pawns and later attacks that centre from a distance. It usually begins 1. e4 g6, but the move …g6 can also be played against 1. d4, 1. c4 or even 1. Nf3 and still belong to the Modern family.
How it is Used in Play
- Piece placement. Black fianchettoes the king’s bishop with …Bg7, often follows with …d6, …c6, …Nf6 and strikes at the pawn front by …e5 or …c5.
- Strategic idea. Rather than fighting immediately for the centre, Black applies the hyper-modern philosophy of controlling central squares with pieces and pawn breaks instead of occupying them early.
- Flexibility. Because Black keeps the queen’s knight and king’s knight undeveloped for a few moves, the opening can transpose into the Pirc (after …Nf6), the Czech Pirc (…c6 & …d5), or even the King’s Indian Defence versus 1. d4.
Historical & Strategic Significance
The defense became popular in the 1950s and 1960s through the games of Austrian GM Karl Robatsch—hence the older name “Robatsch Defense.” Hyper-modern pioneers such as Richard Réti and Savielly Tartakower employed the underlying ideas even earlier.
Example Mini-Game
Black invited White to set up a broad centre with 4.f4. The immediate 6…c5 undermined it, illustrating the Modern’s strategy of delayed, but forceful, counter-attack.
Interesting Facts
- GM Tiger Hillarp Persson famously wrote “Modern Defence: The Modern Chess Self-Tutor,” popularising unorthodox plans such as …h6 and …a6 before developing the queenside pieces.
- World Champion Magnus Carlsen has used the Modern for surprise value in rapid and blitz play, notably defeating GM Emil Sutovsky (Wijk aan Zee, 2005) with the setup …d6, …a6 and …b5.
Standard Variation (Modern Defense)
Definition
The Standard Variation is the most classical branch of the Modern Defense and arises after the moves:
1. e4 g6 2. d4 Bg7 3. Nc3 d6
Instead of immediately developing the king’s knight, Black bolsters the dark-squared bishop with …d6, keeping options open for …c6, …e5 or …a6.
Typical Plans
- Against 4.f4 (Austrian Attack): Black plays …Nf6, …c5 and tries to chip away at the pawn chain e4–f4.
- Against quieter lines (4.Nf3 or 4.Be3): Black may castle, play …a6 and …b5 for queenside counterplay.
Model Game
Robatsch’s thematic …c6 and …Bg4 put immediate pressure on White’s centre; soon the e5-pawn became over-extended.
Trivia
- The ECO code for the Standard line is B06 (sometimes B07 when the game transposes to a Pirc via …Nf6).
- In the mid-1990s the line enjoyed renewed interest when GMs Nigel Short and Alexei Shirov used it to sidestep heavy opening theory.
Two Knights Variation (Modern Defense)
Definition
The Two Knights Variation appears when White develops both knights before committing the c- or d-pawn:
1. e4 g6 2. Nf3 Bg7 3. Nc3
White keeps the pawn centre flexible; Black can respond with 3…d6 (transposing to a Pirc-like structure), 3…c5, or 3…e5.
Strategic Themes
- Flexibility for White: The move order guards against the sharp Austrian Attack because the f-pawn is blocked by the knight. White may later choose d4-d3 (small centre) or d4-d5 (space-gaining advance).
- Dynamic Counterplay for Black: The absence of an early d-pawn gives Black time to fight for …d5 or …f5 breaks. The fianchettoed bishop eyes e4 and h1.
Sample Continuation
After 3…d6 4.d4 Nf6 5.Be2 O-O 6.O-O, both sides have completed development with tension in the centre still unresolved.
Illustrative Game
The early 3…c5 struck the d- and e-squares before White had committed a pawn to d4. The middlegame became a sharp struggle in which Kasparov eventually prevailed.
Interesting Facts
- The Two Knights is often chosen by positional players who want to avoid the heavily analysed Austrian Attack while still fighting for an opening edge.
- When Black answers 3…e5, the game can transpose into a King’s Indian reversed Benoni structure—a favourite of GM Bent Larsen.
Small Center Variation (Modern Defense, Two Knights)
Definition
The Small Center (or “Small Centre”) Variation is a calmer branch of the Two Knights system in which White builds a compact pawn duo on e4 and d3 instead of the broad pawn wedge e4–d4:
1. e4 g6 2. Nf3 Bg7 3. Nc3 d6 4.d3 (or 4.d4 Nf6 5.d3). The resulting tabiya often continues 4…Nf6 5.g3 O-O 6.Bg2, leading to manoeuvring play.
Usage and Ideas
- White Strategy: Maintain a solid, flexible centre, complete development quickly, and postpone the choice of d3-d4 or f2-f4 until the middle game provides clearer targets.
- Black Strategy: Exploit the fact that White has not seized space by striking with …e5 or …c5 and aiming pieces at the light squares d4 and e5.
Typical Plan for White
- Develop pieces: Be2, O-O, Re1.
- Prepare d3-d4 to challenge the centre after castling safety is achieved.
- Alternatively pursue a kingside expansion with h3, g4, and sometimes Kg2 followed by Rh1.
Reference Position
Black’s last move …e5 stakes out central space while leaving the d-pawn ready to bolster with …d6-d5 if conditions allow.
Anecdote
GM Jon Speelman once described the Small Center as “the Swiss army knife of Modern-Pirc systems”—compact, versatile and always handy when you want to avoid a theoretical slugfest.