As Black
Modern Defence
The Modern Defence is a chess opening for Black that starts with 1.e4 g6.
Played by fianchettoing the bishop on g7 early. Flexible and good for sidestepping main-line theory.
Reviewed on November 6, 2026 · Prepared by Josep Serrano Ballestero
8 lines
2...Bg7 3.Nc3 c6 4.h4
1.e4 g6 2.d4 Bg7 3.Nc3 c6 4.h4 h5 5.Nf3 d6 6.Bc4 Nf6
Heading for the King's Indian
1.e4 g6 2.d4 Bg7 3.c4 d6 4.Nc3 Nc6 5.Be3 e5 6.d5 Nce7
4.Be3 Nf6
1.e4 g6 2.d4 Bg7 3.Nc3 d6 4.Be3 Nf6 5.f3 O-O 6.Qd2 e5
Solid Variation
1.e4 g6 2.d4 Bg7 3.Nf3 d6 4.Be2 Nf6 5.Nc3 O-O 6.O-O c6
2...Bg7 3.Nc3 d6 4.Be3
1.e4 g6 2.d4 Bg7 3.Nc3 d6 4.Be3 a6 5.Qd2 b5 6.f3 Nd7
2...Bg7 3.Nc3 d6 4.Nf3
1.e4 g6 2.d4 Bg7 3.Nc3 d6 4.Nf3 Nd7 5.Bc4 e6 6.O-O Ne7
Gurgenidze System
1.e4 g6 2.d4 Bg7 3.Nc3 c6 4.f4 d5 5.e5 h5 6.Nf3 Bg4
2...Bg7 3.Nc3 d6 4.Bc4
1.e4 g6 2.d4 Bg7 3.Nc3 d6 4.Bc4 c6 5.Qf3 e6
Frequently asked questions
Is the Modern Defence good for beginners?
It suits players who already have some experience. On OpeningCraft it is aimed at players with Elo 1200 – 1400. It suits players who prefer long-term plans and pawn structure.
How many lines of the Modern Defence do you need to learn?
OpeningCraft teaches 8, in blocks of 5. They come from real Lichess games at each rating band, and the traps and opponent mistakes most common at your level come first.