Russian Game: Modern Attack

Definition

The Russian Game: Modern Attack—often simply called the Modern Attack in the Petrov (or Russian) Defence—arises after the moves 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nxe5 d6 4. Nf3 Nxe4 5. d4. It is a dynamic branch in which White immediately challenges Black’s central knight and gains space in the centre with a pawn duo on e4 and d4.

Usage in Chess

Players adopt the Modern Attack when they wish to avoid the highly symmetrical and often drawish lines of the Petrov. By pushing d4 early, White:

Claims central space and frees the c1-bishop.
Opens lines for rapid development (Bc4, Nc3, 0-0).
Invites early tactical skirmishes that can punish inaccurate Black play.

Strategic & Historical Significance

Historically, elite grandmasters such as Alexander Alekhine and later Anatoly Karpov used the Petrov as Black to neutralise 1.e4. The Modern Attack emerged as a practical antidote: it keeps more pieces on the board and leads to imbalanced pawn structures. In modern engine era, the line is considered sound; assessments hover around equality, but the positions remain rich in ideas.

Illustrative Example

A typical continuation (Sideline 5…d5) might run:

Interesting Facts

The term “Modern” distinguishes it from older lines where White played 5.Nc3 or 5.Qe2 instead of 5.d4.
Because engines show near-equal evaluations, many top players employ the Modern Attack as a practical weapon rather than a theoretical refutation; the pressure is transferred to the opponent to remember sharp move orders.
Magnus Carlsen has chosen the Modern Attack in rapid & blitz to sidestep pet Petroff preparation.

3…Nxe4

Definition

The move 3…Nxe4 is Black’s third-move knight capture in the Petrov Defence: 1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nf6 3. Nxe5 Nxe4. Black recaptures the pawn on e4 instead of playing 3…d6.

Purpose & Tactical Ideas

Regains the pawn immediately, restoring material balance.
Maintains the symmetrical nature of the opening while placing a knight in the centre.
Introduces the famous “Cochrane Gambit” possibility if White later plays 4.Nxf7!?
After 4.Qe2 (the Classical Attack), the e4-knight can become a tactical target.

Strategic Significance

While 3…Nxe4 hazards exposing the knight to kicks (d3, Nc3), it also forces White to decide on a setup: pursue central space (d4) or regain symmetry (d3). In many sub-variations the knight eventually returns to f6, effectively wasting a tempo; however, Black banks on solidity and compact structure.

Famous Game Snippet

Cochrane – Staunton, London 1842: 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Nxe5 Nxe4 4.Nxf7!? resulted in one of the earliest romantic gambits, where White sacrifices a knight for attack on f7.

Interesting Facts

In many databases, 3…d6 slightly outnumbers 3…Nxe4, but elite repertoire books recommend both.
Engines evaluate the immediate capture as equal (≈0.00) when followed precisely.

Main Line

Definition

A Main Line in chess opening theory is the sequence of moves that is most frequently played and most deeply analysed in a given opening. It represents the “standard” or “accepted” continuation against which deviations are measured.

Characteristics

High theoretical weight—featured in reference works like ECO and Modern Chess Openings.
Backed by extensive grandmaster practice and engine analysis.
Often leads to strategically balanced positions where both sides have clear plans.

Usage in Discussion

When annotators write “In the main line, Black usually replies…,” they refer to the most reputable move order. Players preparing an opening will memorise the main line first, then explore sidelines and novelties.

Historical Context

Not all main lines stay permanent; shifts occur when new ideas—such as the Berlin Wall in the Ruy Lopez—supplant older preferences. Consequently, what is main is fluid, reflecting the evolution of top-level practice.

Example

In the Russian Game: Modern Attack, the “main line” after 5.d4 continues 5…d5 6.Bd3 Be7 7.O-O O-O 8.c4, a position evaluated as equal but rich in middlegame plans.

Interesting Anecdote

In the early 2000s, computers suggested 8…Nc6 broke equality, causing a short-lived shift. Human grandmasters later rehabilitated White’s chances, showing how main lines ebb and flow with analytical discoveries.

7…Bd6

Definition

7…Bd6 is Black’s bishop retreat to d6 in several Petrov Defence branches, most notably in the Modern Attack main line: 1.e4 e5 2.Nf3 Nf6 3.Nxe5 d6 4.Nf3 Nxe4 5.d4 d5 6.Bd3 Nc6 7.O-O Bd6. By playing 7…Bd6, Black consolidates the e4-knight and prepares to complete development.

Strategic Role

Protects the knight on e4 and reinforces central dark-square control.
Clears the e7-square for the king’s bishop or queen.
Tactically avoids the pin Bf4 which would otherwise harass the e5-knight if the bishop remained on e7.

Typical Plans

…O-O to safeguard the king.
…Re8 followed by …Bg4 or …Qf6, eyeing White’s kingside.
If White challenges the e4-knight with c4 or Nc3, Black can exchange on c3 or retreat the knight to f6.

Example Continuation

8.c4 Nb4 9.Be2 O-O 10.a3 Nc6 leading to a balanced middlegame.

Historical Footnote

The retreat 7…Bd6 was popularised in the 1980s by Soviet theoreticians who valued its rock-solid structure over the sharper 7…Be7. Karpov employed it in several World Championship preparation games, though not on the main stage, to keep opponents guessing.

Interesting Facts

Some databases label 7…Bd6 as the “Karklins–Martinovsky Variation” after correspondence champions who explored it deeply.
Engine evaluations are notoriously swingy here: a misplaced tempo by either side can flip the assessment from += to =+ and back.