Modern Defense (Robatsch): Hyper-modern Black Opening
Modern Defense
Definition
The Modern Defense (sometimes called the Robatsch Defense) is a hyper-modern chess opening for Black that begins, in its purest form, with the moves: 1. e4 g6 2. d4 Bg7. Instead of occupying the center with pawns in classical style, Black fianchettoes the king’s bishop, delays …d6 or …Nf6, and seeks to undermine White’s center from afar with pawn breaks such as …c5, …d5 or …e5. The ECO codes most commonly associated with the Modern are B06 and B07.
Typical Move-Order
Although many transpositions are possible, a “pure” Modern might proceed:
- e4 g6
- d4 Bg7
- Nc3 d6
- Nf3 Nf6
After these four moves the game can branch into various set-ups. If Black plays …Nf6 early, the opening often transposes to the Pirc Defense. If Black later employs …c6 and …d5, it may resemble the Gurgenidze or Czech Pirc setups.
Strategic Ideas
- Hyper-modern Philosophy: Allow White to build a broad pawn center (usually with e4-d4-c4), then strike at its base with pawn breaks and piece pressure.
- Flexible Pawn Structure: Black keeps the central pawns fluid; depending on White’s set-up, …c5, …e5, or …d5 may become the key lever.
- Fianchettoed Bishop: The bishop on g7 can become a monster on the long diagonal once the center opens.
- King Safety: Because Black delays …Nf6 and sometimes even castles queenside (…O-O-O), move-order nuances are critical; one false step can expose the king to a rapid assault.
- Psychological Weapon: The Modern invites opponents to overextend. At club level it often disorients players who expect more classical replies to 1.e4.
Main Variations
- 3.c4 System (Averbakh): 1.e4 g6 2.d4 Bg7 3.c4 d6 4.Nc3 (White grabs space; Black counters with …Nc6 or …c5).
- Gurgenidze Line: …c6 and …d5 form a solid, Caro-Kann-like shell.
- Modern vs. 1.d4: 1.d4 g6 2.c4 Bg7; transposes to a King’s Indian –style position without early …Nf6.
- Fischer–Grand Prix Attack: White plays an early f4 and Be3, treating the Modern as a Sicilian Dragon reversed.
Historical Notes
The opening’s roots trace back to the 19th century, but it gained real traction in the 1950s when Austrian Grandmaster Karl Robatsch championed it in top-level play—hence the alternate name “Robatsch Defense.” In the 1970s, players like Bent Larsen and Duncan Suttles refined the hyper-modern approach with provocative, flexible systems. More recently, elite grandmasters such as Alexander Grischuk and Richard Rapport have kept the opening in the limelight.
Illustrative Game
Larsen – Najdorf, Havana 1962
A classic demonstration of the Modern’s counter-punching power.
Interesting Facts
- World Champion Bobby Fischer toyed with the Modern in interviews, calling it “the opening of the future,” though he rarely played it.
- The Modern is one of the few defenses that can, with minor tweaks, be employed against all first moves (1.e4, 1.d4, 1.c4, or 1.Nf3) by simply replying …g6 and …Bg7.
- Some computer engines initially evaluated the Modern pessimistically for Black, but modern neural-network engines (e.g., Leela and GPT-based evaluations) consider many lines entirely playable.
Practical Tips
- Know your pawn breaks: against e4-d4, the thematic …c5 and …e5 are your primary counter-shots; time them correctly.
- Avoid automatic …Nf6 if a later …f5 might be desirable; flexibility is the opening’s lifeblood.
- Be alert to quick h4 or f4 thrusts from White—especially in blitz— and have antidotes (…h5 or …f5) ready.
Conclusion
The Modern Defense is a rich, provocative opening that rewards players who relish unbalanced, strategic fights. While occasionally regarded as “unorthodox,” its sound positional basis and frequent transpositions to mainstream openings make it a versatile weapon from club play to elite events.