Modern Defense: Bishop Attack

Before the first move

The Modern Defense is a hypermodern approach where Black invites White to build a massive center, intending to strike back from the flanks later. In this specific variation, White adopts an aggressive stance by placing the bishop on c4, targeting the f7 square early to discourage Black from playing too passively.

1. e4White

White opens with e4, the most popular way to start the game. By seizing the center immediately, White forces you to decide whether to challenge it directly with e5 or c5, or adopt a more flexible setup like the Modern or Pirc.

1... g6Black · your move

Push your pawn to g6. You are preparing to fianchetto your bishop on g7, where it will exert pressure along the long diagonal. This flexible move avoids committing your central pawns too early.

Other paths here: f6 (Barnes Defense) · g5 (Borg Defense) · h6 (Carr Defense) · f5 (Duras Gambit)

2. d4White

White plays d4, establishing the ideal pawn center. While White could also develop a knight with Nc3 or Nf3, taking the center immediately is the most principled response to Black's patient setup.

Other paths here: Nc3 (Modern) · Bc4 (Modern Defense) · Nf3 (Pterodactyl Defense: Western, Siroccopteryx)

2... Bg7Black · your move

Develop your bishop to g7. This is the cornerstone of your opening. From here, your bishop bites into White's center and prepares for kingside castling while keeping your central options open.

Other paths here: c6 (Modern) · f5 (Modern Defense: Fianchetto Gambit) · Nf6 (Modern Defense: Norwegian Defense) · d6 (Rat Defense: Accelerated Gurgenidze)

3. Bc4White

White plays Bc4, the Bishop Attack. By choosing this over the Standard Line with Nc3 or the aggressive Three Pawns Attack with f4, White targets f7 directly and sets a clear, attacking tone for the game.

Other paths here: Nc3 (Modern Defense: Standard Line) · f4 (Modern Defense: Three Pawns Attack) · Bd2 (Modern Defense: Westermann Gambit) · Bd3 (Modern Defense: Wind Gambit)

Where you stand

The position is tense and strategically rich. White has a classical center and active pieces, while Black is ready to counterattack using the c7-c6 and d7-d6 pawn breaks. White will likely focus on kingside pressure, while Black seeks to undermine the d4 pawn and expand on the queenside.

• c7-c6 Prepare the d5 break or queenside expansion
• b1-c3 Develop the knight to defend the center
• g1-f3 Develop the knight and prepare to castle
• b7-b5 Harass the bishop and gain space