Modern Defense: Two Knights Variation
1. e4 g6 2. d4 Bg7 3. Nc3 d6 4. Nf3
4… Nf6+0.51
White is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.
Analyze this positionIn the Modern Defense: Two Knights Variation (B06), reached after 1. e4 g6 2. d4 Bg7 3. Nc3 d6 4. Nf3, Stockfish 18 recommends 4… Nf6 for Black. White is slightly better (+0.51).
Top engine moves
- +0.514… Nf6 5. Be3 a6 6. Qd2 b5 7. Bh6 O-O 8. Bd3 Bxh6 9. Qxh6
- +0.544… c6 5. Be3 Nf6 6. Qd2 b5 7. Bd3 O-O 8. h3 Nbd7 9. e5
- +0.634… a6 5. Be3 b5 6. Bd3 Bb7 7. e5 Nd7 8. e6 fxe6 9. Ng5
Variations
Frequently asked questions
What is the best move in the Modern Defense: Two Knights Variation?
After 1. e4 g6 2. d4 Bg7 3. Nc3 d6 4. Nf3, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 4… Nf6 for Black, continuing 5. Be3 a6 6. Qd2 b5 7. Bh6 O-O 8. Bd3 Bxh6 9. Qxh6. White is slightly better (+0.51). The next best moves are 4… c6 (+0.54) and 4… a6 (+0.63).
Is the Modern Defense: Two Knights Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.51: 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: Two Knights Variation?
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+).