Modern Defense: Bishop Attack

Modern Defense: Bishop Attack

Definition

The Modern Defense: Bishop Attack is a sub-variation of the Modern Defense that arises after the moves 1. e4 g6 2. d4 Bg7 3. Bc4. White develops the king’s bishop aggressively to c4, immediately eyeing the vulnerable f7-square and discouraging Black’s standard ...d6 and ...Nf6 setups. The line is also indexed by ECO code B06.

Typical Move Order

The opening sequence generally unfolds as follows:

1. e4 g6
2. d4 Bg7
3. Bc4 d6 (or 3…c6 / 3…Nf6)

Other common continuations for White include 4. Nf3, reinforcing the center, or 4. Qf3, immediately increasing pressure on f7 at the cost of early queen development.

Strategic Ideas

• Targeting f7: By placing the bishop on c4, White threatens quick tactical shots like Bxf7+ or Qf3 with a double-attack on f7 and c4.
• Central Occupation vs. Hypermodern Setup: White’s classical pawn center (e4–d4) clashes with Black’s hypermodern plan to strike back later with ...c5 or ...e5.
• Flexible for Black: Black can keep the king in the center for a while, delay ...Nf6 to avoid e4-e5, or transpose to a Pirc Defense with ...d6, ...Nf6 and ...0-0.
• Tactical Alertness: Both sides must calculate concrete lines since early piece activity can explode tactically, especially when White chooses sharp continuations like Qf3 or h4–h5.

Historical Significance

The Modern Defense rose to prominence in the mid-20th century as hypermodern ideas gained traction. The Bishop Attack caught on as a practical weapon because it sidesteps miles of theory in more established Pirc and King’s Indian structures. Grandmasters such as John Nunn and Ian Rogers have employed it to surprise well-prepared opponents.

Illustrative Game

Below is a miniature showcasing the dangers for Black when unprepared:

White: A. Giri    Black: Club Player (Simul, 2018) — Black’s premature ...c6–c5 left the dark squares weak, and White’s queen–bishop battery delivered mate on h7.

Plans for Both Sides

• White
  • Castle kingside swiftly or leave the king in the center to launch an h-pawn storm.
  • Expand with f4 or e5 to cramp Black’s pieces.
  • Use piece activity and open lines toward f7, h7 and the long diagonal.
• Black
  • Counterattack the center with ...c5 or ...e5 at an opportune moment.
  • Consider an early ...a6 & ...b5 to chase the bishop from c4.
  • Delay castling, sometimes opting for ...Kf8 or even queenside castling to avoid White’s attack.

Typical Tactical Motifs

• Bxf7+ sacrifice: Opens the e-file and exposes the black king.
• Qf3/Qh5 ideas: Double-attack f7 and c5, or set up mate threats on h7.
• e4-e5 break: Gains space, displaces the knight on f6, and may prepare e6.

Interesting Facts & Anecdotes

• The line is sometimes dubbed the “Monkey’s Bum” when White plays 3. Bc4 and 4. Qf3. The colorful name was coined by English players in the 1970s and has cemented the variation’s reputation as a cheeky surprise weapon.
• Despite its offbeat appearance, engines like Stockfish rate the position after 3. Bc4 as approximately equal, confirming that Black can hold with accurate play.
• The Bishop Attack is a handy choice in rapid and blitz because it forces Black to solve concrete problems from move three, bypassing mainstream Modern/Pirc theory.