Modern: 3.Nc3 d6 4.Be3 a6

Modern: 3.Nc3 d6 4.Be3 a6

Definition

“Modern: 3.Nc3 d6 4.Be3 a6” is a concrete move sequence in the Modern Defence (also called the Robatsch Defence). The full tabiya arises after 1. e4 g6 2.d4 Bg7 3.Nc3 d6 4.Be3 a6. Here:

• 3.Nc3 – White develops the queen’s knight, reinforcing the d5-square and eyeing the e4-e5 advance.
• …d6 – Black supports the g7-bishop’s long diagonal and keeps the central pawn structure flexible.
• 4.Be3 – White begins the so-called “150 Attack,” intending Qd2, long-castling, and a kingside pawn storm.
• …a6 – Black prepares …b5, restrains Nb5 ideas, and keeps the option of …c6 / …b5 / …Nd7 as in the “Tiger Modern.”

How It Is Used in Chess

The line is popular among players who want an unbalanced, low-theory struggle:

• Black avoids early direct contact in the centre, aiming for piece play, pawn breaks …b5 and …c5, and flexible kingside development (often …Nf6, …0-0).
• White typically follows with Qd2, 0-0-0, and a pawn storm (h4-h5, g4) reminiscent of the Yugoslav Attack against the Sicilian Dragon.

Strategic Significance

The key strategic themes revolve around pawn storms and flank breaks:

1. Flank Counterplay – …a6 followed by …b5 gains queenside space and can harass the e4-pawn after …Bb7/…b4.
2. Central Flexibility – Because Black delays …Nf6 and keeps the e-pawn at home, White cannot immediately play e4-e5 with gain of time.
3. Opposite-Side Castling – Most games feature White castling long and Black castling short, leading to mutual pawn races.
4. Piece Placement – Black’s knight often heads to d7, the dark-squared bishop remains on g7, and a rook can land on b8 after …b5.

Historical Context

The idea of …a6 in the Modern was explored in the 1960s by Georgian grandmaster Buka Gurgenidze, but it was popularised three decades later by Swedish GM Tiger Hillarp Persson. The “Tiger Modern” (…a6, …c6, …b5) became a fashionable antidote to the 150 Attack at club and grandmaster level alike.

Typical Continuations

After 4…a6 the most common plans are:

• 5.Qd2 b5 6.f3 Nd7 – Main line; Black reinforces e5 and prepares …Bb7 and …c5.
• 5.Nf3 b5 6.Bd3 – A modest setup where White delays Qd2, striving for an early e4-e5.
• 5.h4 – Direct aggressive attempt; Black may answer 5…h5 or ignore it with 5…b5.

Illustrative Mini-Game

The following short PGN shows typical ideas for both sides:
. Notice how:

• Black has achieved …b5 and …c5, challenging the centre.
• White is poised to push g2-g4 and h4-h5, initiating a kingside storm.

Famous Games Featuring the Line

• Tiger Hillarp Persson – Luke McShane, Malmö 2001 – Black sacrificed an exchange on b2 after …b5-b4 and counter-attacked the white king to win.
• Vladimir Kramnik – Alexander Morozevich, Astana Rapid 2012 – Demonstrates how top players employ the 150 Attack setup; Kramnik broke through on the kingside despite …a6-…b5.

Interesting Facts & Anecdotes

• The “150 Attack” got its name from English club players whose rating was about 150 Elo (≈1800 USCF today). They found it easy to remember and deadly against the Pirc/Modern, prompting grandmasters to search for antidotes like …a6.
• GM Tiger Hillarp Persson once quipped that after playing 4…a6 he “felt like a matador teasing the bull,” because the move invites White to charge forward while Black sidesteps and counter-punches.
• The variation is a favourite in correspondence chess, where engines have shown that Black’s queenside counterplay often holds up even against perfect play.

Practical Tips

• For Black: Be ready to meet e4-e5 with …Nc6 or …dxe5. Do not delay …b5 too long, otherwise White’s h-pawn advance becomes menacing.
• For White: Try to castle long before pushing g- and h-pawns. A timely Bh6 exchange can neutralise Black’s key bishop on g7.

In summary, the move order “3.Nc3 d6 4.Be3 a6” is a dynamic, flexible way for Black to meet the razor-sharp 150 Attack, leading to rich middlegame positions where both sides must balance attack and defence on opposite wings.