ECO B06 · Modern Defense

Modern Defense

1. e4 g6

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White to move. The arrow shows Stockfish’s best move.
Best move

2. d4+0.62

White is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Modern Defense (B06), reached after 1. e4 g6, Stockfish 18 recommends 2. d4 for White. White is slightly better (+0.62).

Top engine moves

  1. +0.622. d4 Bg7 3. Nc3 d6 4. h4 Nf6 5. Be2 h6 6. a4 Nc6
  2. +0.372. Nf3 c5 3. c3 d5 4. exd5 Qxd5 5. Na3 Bg7 6. Bc4 Qe4+
  3. +0.362. Nc3 c5 3. d4 cxd4 4. Qxd4 Nf6 5. Be3 Nc6 6. Qd2 Bg7

Other move orders

  • 1. e4 g6 2. d4 Bg7
  • 1. d4 g6 2. c4 Bg7 3. Nc3 d6

All Modern Defense variations (36)

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Modern Defense?
After 1. e4 g6, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 2. d4 for White, continuing Bg7 3. Nc3 d6 4. h4 Nf6 5. Be2 h6 6. a4 Nc6. White is slightly better (+0.62). The next best moves are 2. Nf3 (+0.37) and 2. Nc3 (+0.36).
Is the Modern Defense a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.62: white is slightly better. Evaluations this early in the game are small, so practical results depend far more on knowing the plans and typical structures than on the engine's number.
What is the ECO code of the Modern Defense?
B06. ECO codes classify chess openings from A00 to E99; B is the volume for semi-open games (other than the French).

Opening names from the Lichess opening book (CC0). Pieces by Colin M.L. Burnett (GPLv2+).