Modern: 3.Nc3 d6 4.Be3
Modern: 3.Nc3 d6 4.Be3
Definition
“Modern: 3.Nc3 d6 4.Be3” refers to a specific branch of the Modern Defense that arises after the moves 1.e4 g6 2.d4 Bg7 3.Nc3 d6 4.Be3. It is coded in ECO as A42/B06 and is sometimes called the “Modern Defense – 4.Be3 Variation.” White’s fourth move develops the king’s-bishop to e3, buttressing the d4-pawn, controlling the c5-square, and paving the way for an aggressive setup with Qd2 and long castling. Black, for his part, maintains a hyper-modern stance, challenging the center later with …c6, …e5, or …a6 and …b5 (the so-called “Tiger Modern” structure).
Typical Usage in Opening Repertoires
Advanced and club players alike choose 4.Be3 when they want:
- A flexible system usable against both the Modern (…g6, …Bg7) and the Pirc (…Nf6).
- Quick kingside-attack potential: Be3–Qd2–0-0-0 with pawn storms h4–h5 or f2-f4.
- To avoid highly theoretical lines such as the Austrian Attack (3.f4) while still retaining central control.
Strategic Ideas
- For White
- Support the d4-pawn to discourage …c5 breaks.
- Prepare opposite-side castling (0-0-0 vs. …0-0) and a kingside pawn storm.
- Maintain the option of a central pawn thrust with f2-f4 or e4-e5.
- For Black
- Counter-attack the center later with …e5 or …c5 once the bishop on e3 becomes a target.
- Use the Tiger Modern plan: …a6, …b5, …Bb7, exerting queenside pressure.
- Delay knight development (…Nf6) to keep White guessing and perhaps transpose to a Pirc only when convenient.
Key Continuations
- 4…a6 5.Qd2 b5 6.0-0-0 Nd7 – Tiger Hillarp Persson’s trademark idea.
- 4…Nf6 5.Qd2 c6 6.0-0-0 Qa5 – transposes toward Pirc setups but with queens already committed.
- 4…c6 5.Qd2 b5 6.f3 Nd7 – a more solid, Caro-Kann–flavored approach.
Historical Context
The bishop development to e3 against the Modern grew popular in the 1980s, when players like Nigel Davies and Jon Speelman explored it as an anti-theoretical weapon. Swedish GM Tiger Hillarp Persson later refined the …a6/…b5 scheme, leading to the nickname “Tiger Modern.” In the 2010s English GM Gawain Jones and others incorporated the line into aggressive e4 repertoires, showing that White can fight for an initiative without diving into razor-sharp Austrian Attack theory.
Notable Games
- Jones, G. – Shankland, S. Tromsø Olympiad 2014. White castled long and launched h2-h4-h5, eventually breaking through after Black’s premature …e5 push.
- Hillarp Persson, T. – Gurevich, M. Isle of Man 2000. The inventor demonstrates …a6/…b5, holding the center in check while his queenside pawns steam-rolled to victory.
Example Position
After the first four moves the board position is:
White pieces: King e1, Queen d1, Rooks a1 h1, Knights g1 c3, Bishop f1 e3, pawns a2 b2 c2 d4 e4 f2 g2 h2. Black pieces: King e8, Queen d8, Rooks a8 h8, Knights g8 b8, Bishop g7, pawns a7 b7 c7 d6 e7 f7 g6 h7.
Interesting Facts & Anecdotes
- Because White’s queen often goes to d2, commentators jokingly call the setup the “Cheap Dragon,” echoing the Yugoslav Attack against the Sicilian Dragon but reached with colors reversed.
- In online blitz, 4.Be3 scores well because it sidesteps many prepared computer lines; the absence of an early knight on f3 keeps Black guessing about e4-e5 breaks.
- Despite being classed under the Modern Defense, if Black later plays …Nf6 and …0-0 the game can transpose directly into a Pirc Defense 150-Attack, highlighting the fluid boundary between the two openings.
Why Study This Line?
For White, it offers a sound yet aggressive weapon requiring modest memorization. For Black, understanding the resulting pawn structures and piece placements is vital, because a single inaccurate tempo (for example an untimely …c5) can leave the king exposed to a swift mating attack.