Reversed Modern Defense

The Reversed Modern Defense arises after 1. g3 d5 2. Bg2 c5. Instead of propping up the d-pawn with 2...c6 or 2...e6, Black adds a second pawn in the center and gains space, accepting that d5 has less pawn support against the bishop on g2. Seen with colors reversed, the structure resembles a Modern Defense in which White has made one extra move: White fianchettoes and lets Black build a center that can later be challenged. Black's pawns on c5 and d5 control d4 and e4, and Black usually develops freely behind them.

White's most common reply, 3. Nf3, leads to the King's Indian Attack: Sicilian Variation, with a Sicilian-type structure in reverse. The quieter 3. d3 and 3. e3 are also played often. The engine also rates 3. d4 and 3. c4 highly, two moves that strike at Black's center immediately. The engine judges the position roughly balanced. In online games White scores slightly better, draws are rare, and the line is a fairly popular way of meeting the fianchetto.