Chess Opening Theory/1. e4/1...g6/2. d4/2...Bg7/3. Nc3

Modern Defence, Main Line
a b c d e f g h 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 a b c d e f g h
Position in Forsyth-Edwards Notation (FEN) rnbqk1nr/ppppppbp/6p1/8/3PP3/2N5/PPP2PPP/R1BQKBNR b
Moves: 1. e4 g6 2. d4 Bg7 3. Nc3

Modern Defence, Main Line

This the main line of the Modern Defence. Here Black has allowed White to have a classical pawn duo on e4 and d4. Black must have a plan to attack back or they will be steamrolled.

The most common reply is 3...d6. Here Black attempts to undermine the center through a hypermodern approach.

A more passive approach is 3...c6.

Theory table

For explanation of theory tables, see theory table and for notation, see algebraic notation.

1. e4 g6 2. d4 Bg7 3. Nc3

3	4
… d6	Be3 a6	=
… c6	Nf3	=