What are the moves of the Modern Defense: Standard Line?

1.e4 g6 2.d4 Bg7 3.Nc3. After these moves it is black to move.

What variations come from the Modern Defense: Standard Line?

Named continuations include Modern Defense: Lizard Defense, Mittenberger Gambit, Modern Defense: Modern Pterodactyl, Modern Defense: Mongredien Defense, with Nc3, Modern Defense: Standard Defense, Modern Defense: Pseudo-Austrian Attack. There are 16 named variations reachable from this position in total.

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Chess Openings

Modern Defense: Standard Line

1.e4 g6 2.d4 Bg7 3.Nc3 · ECO B06

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Modern Defense: Standard Line is a chess opening that arises after 1.e4 g6 2.d4 Bg7 3.Nc3. It is classified B06 in the ECO system, and the position after these moves has black to move. The Modern Defense fianchettoes immediately, delaying the knight development that would define it as a Pirc. This maximum flexibility lets Black choose the structure after seeing what White commits to.

Strategic character

Extremely flexible and transpositional — the Modern can turn into a Pirc, a King's Indian, or something entirely its own. That flexibility is also its cost, since Black concedes the centre early and must handle a wide range of White setups.

Who should play it

Experienced players who understand structures well enough to navigate transpositions and who prefer avoiding mainstream theory.

This line is a variation within the Modern Defense family. The strategic ideas above describe the family as a whole; this particular line reaches them by the move order 1.e4 g6 2.d4 Bg7 3.Nc3.

Variations continuing from this position

Each of these is a named opening reached by playing on from 1.e4 g6 2.d4 Bg7 3.Nc3. Open any of them to load the position on the board.

Frequently asked questions

What is the Modern Defense: Standard Line?: The Modern Defense: Standard Line is a chess opening that arises after 1.e4 g6 2.d4 Bg7 3.Nc3. It is classified B06 in the ECO system. The Modern Defense fianchettoes immediately, delaying the knight development that would define it as a Pirc. This maximum flexibility lets Black choose the structure after seeing what White commits to.
What are the moves of the Modern Defense: Standard Line?: 1.e4 g6 2.d4 Bg7 3.Nc3. After these moves it is black to move.
Is the Modern Defense: Standard Line good for beginners?: Experienced players who understand structures well enough to navigate transpositions and who prefer avoiding mainstream theory.
What variations come from the Modern Defense: Standard Line?: Named continuations include Modern Defense: Lizard Defense, Mittenberger Gambit, Modern Defense: Modern Pterodactyl, Modern Defense: Mongredien Defense, with Nc3, Modern Defense: Standard Defense, Modern Defense: Pseudo-Austrian Attack. There are 16 named variations reachable from this position in total.