ECO B06 · Modern Defense

Modern Defense: Standard Line

1. e4 g6 2. d4 Bg7 3. Nc3

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

3… c6+0.53

White is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Modern Defense: Standard Line (B06), reached after 1. e4 g6 2. d4 Bg7 3. Nc3, Stockfish 18 recommends 3… c6 for Black. White is slightly better (+0.53).

Top engine moves

  1. +0.533… c6 4. f4 h5 5. Be3 d5 6. e5 Bf5 7. Nf3 a5 8. Bd3
  2. +0.543… d6 4. f4 a6 5. Nf3 b5 6. Bd3 Nd7 7. e5 Nh6 8. O-O
  3. +0.613… d5 4. exd5 Nf6 5. Bc4 Nbd7 6. Bb3 Nb6 7. Nf3 a5 8. a4

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Modern Defense: Standard Line?
After 1. e4 g6 2. d4 Bg7 3. Nc3, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 3… c6 for Black, continuing 4. f4 h5 5. Be3 d5 6. e5 Bf5 7. Nf3 a5 8. Bd3. White is slightly better (+0.53). The next best moves are 3… d6 (+0.54) and 3… d5 (+0.61).
Is the Modern Defense: Standard Line a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.53: 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: Standard Line?
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+).