8765432abcdefgh1

Modern Defense

Neo-Modern Defense

A41offbeatpositional

  1. 1.d4g6
  2. 2.c4Bg7
  3. 3.e4e5
607 games49%48%

A Modern Defense line in which Black meets White's broad pawn center with an immediate 3...e5, most often answered by the space-gaining 4. d5.

Train it in Theoria

About the Neo-Modern Defense

The Neo-Modern Defense arises when Black, facing White's pawns on c4, d4 and e4, strikes at the center with 3...e5 instead of first preparing the break with ...d6. White most often closes the position with 4. d5, gaining space and blunting the g7-bishop. The alternatives 4. Nf3 and 4. dxe5 are much less common, and Black scores well against the capture. Engines give White a slight edge, though online results are close to level.

Popular continuations