Modern Defense: Standard Defense

Modern Defense: Standard Defense

Definition

The Modern Defense (also known historically as the Robatsch Defense) is a hyper-modern opening that begins with the characteristic fianchetto of the king’s bishop after 1…g6. When White opens with 1.e4, the Standard Defense is the most frequently encountered move-order:

1.e4 g6 2.d4 Bg7 3.Nc3 d6

This line is catalogued under ECO code B06. Black delays (or even avoids) occupying the center with pawns, preferring to place pieces on flexible squares and strike back later with …e5, …c5 or …d5.

Typical Move Order

The “Standard” setup for Black can arise from several transpositions, but the core position usually features the following arrangement:

• Black pawns on g6 and d6
• Bishop on g7
• King knight developed to f6 (often after 3…Nf6 or 4…Nf6)
• Flexible choices for the queen-side pieces, most often …Nc6 or …Nd7 followed by …e5 or …c5

Strategic Ideas

• Hyper-modern counterplay – Black allows White the classical pawn center (pawns on e4 and d4) and intends to undermine it later.
• Piece activity over pawn structure – Quick fianchetto (…Bg7) exerts long-range pressure on the light squares (e5, d4, c3).
• Pawn breaks – The key strikes are …e5, …c5 or, against an extended center, …d5. Choosing the right moment is the art of the Modern.
• King safety and flexibility – Black often castles early (…O-O), but sometimes keeps the king in the center while preparing a flank attack with …a6, …b5 or …f5.
• Transpositional potential – The Standard Defense can transpose into the Pirc Defense (after …Nf6 and …d6) or even the King’s Indian Defense against 1.d4 setups.

Plans for White

1. Classical setup – Develop pieces naturally: Nf3, Be2/Bd3, O-O, and aim for space with c4 or f4.
2. 150 Attack-style – Create a kingside pawn storm with Be3, Qd2, f3, g4 and sometimes h4, mirroring themes from the Pirc and King’s Indian.
3. Austrian Attack – 4.f4 followed by Nf3 and Bc4, aggressively supporting an e4–e5 thrust.
4. Fianchetto Variation – 4.g3 for a symmetrical bishop setup, emphasizing solidity.

Historical Notes

Although hyper-modern ideas date back to Nimzowitsch, the Modern Defense gained independent identity in the 1950s and 1960s thanks to Austrian GM Karl Robatsch, whose name is still associated with it. In the computer age it has remained a popular surprise weapon, used by creative grandmasters such as Richard Rapport, Jon Speelman, and Hikaru Nakamura.

Illustrative Mini-Game

Below is a short demonstration of typical Modern themes. Black delays direct central occupation, then undermines White’s center with …c5 and …d5.

Famous Encounters

• Kasparov – Tatai, Bastia 1982 – A young Garry Kasparov scored a sharp win with the Austrian Attack, illustrating the dangers Black faces if the counter-strikes are mistimed.
• Nakamura – Vachier-Lagrave, Paris Blitz 2019 – A modern rapid clash showing how top players keep the position unbalanced; Nakamura eventually prevailed after creative pawn breaks.
• Robatsch – Fischer, Buenos Aires 1970 (simul) – Though only a display game, the inventor of the opening took the white side and was outplayed by Fischer, proving even specialists can be countered.

Interesting Facts

• The Modern Defense is one of the few major openings that can be reached against virtually any first move from White; after 1…g6 and 2…Bg7 Black can transpose into setups versus 1.d4, 1.c4, or 1.Nf3.
• Because Black’s early moves are almost pawnless in the center, some engines initially judge the position pessimistically for Black, only to revise the evaluation once activity and counterplay emerge.
• Club players often confuse the Modern with the Pirc. A quick rule of thumb: if Black commits the knight to f6 before playing …d6, you are in Pirc territory; in the Modern, …d6 (or sometimes …c6) often precedes …Nf6—or the knight may head for e7 or h6.
• GM Tiger Hillarp-Persson authored the cult classic “Tiger’s Modern,” inspiring a wave of new adherents and off-beat sidelines such as the “Hippo” setup (pawns on b6, d6, e6, g6, etc.).

Summary

The Modern Defense: Standard Defense is a flexible, dynamic counterattacking system that embodies the hyper-modern philosophy—invite the opponent to seize the center, then dismantle it with well-timed pawn breaks and active piece play. It remains a practical choice for players seeking asymmetrical battles and ample room for creativity from the very first move.