Chess Openings Lab
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Modern Defense: Bishop Attack

The Bishop Attack of the Modern Defense is 1.e4 g6 2.d4 Bg7 3.Bc4, where White aims the bishop at f7 before choosing a knight setup. Black can hit back with ...c5, ...d6 or ...c6 and ...d5, while White hopes for a fast e5 push and an attack on the weakened kingside.

Moves
1.e4 g6 2.d4 Bg7 3.Bc4
ECO
B06
Engine
+0.16 · level (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
Played
1,081 games in our lichess sample
White scores
49.9%

Key ideas for both sides

White

  • After 3...c5, play Nf3 and c3, as in the top engine line, offering a pawn for quick development.
  • Against ...d6, play Nf3, Qe2 and e5 to open the e-file and the diagonal to f7.
  • Against ...c6 and ...d5, take on d5 and retreat the bishop to d3, then use Na4 against ...b5-b4.
  • Watch for ...b5 tricks hitting the c4 bishop, the idea of the Bücker Gambit.

Black

  • 3...c5 hits d4 at once and uses the g7 bishop on the long diagonal.
  • ...c6 followed by ...d5 attacks the c4 bishop and the e4 pawn together.
  • ...d6 and ...Nf6 with ...O-O lead to a Pirc-style game; then meet e5 with ...dxe5.
  • The ...b5 push is the Bücker Gambit, a rare and risky way to chase the bishop.

Plans and pawn structure

White's bishop on c4 eyes f7 and supports the e5 push. Black's best is to strike the center with ...c5 or ...d5 so the g7 bishop gets open lines toward d4 and b2. White's plans include Qe2 and e5 or the c3 gambit that opens files for the rooks. If Black reaches castling safely, the c4 bishop can become a target for ...d5 or ...b5.

What the engine plays from here

Stockfish 17.1 at depth 20 rates the position +0.16: level. Its three top choices for Black:

  1. +0.16 3...c5 4.Nf3 cxd4 5.c3 dxc3 6.Nxc3
  2. +0.38 3...d6 4.Nf3 Nf6 5.Qe2 O-O 6.e5
  3. +0.45 3...c6 4.Nc3 d5 5.exd5 b5 6.Bd3

Pawns, from White's side.

How it scores on lichess

1,081 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 49.9%.

under 120054.0%
1200–159949.2%
1600–199951.2%
2000 and up43.6%

Light: White wins. Grey: draws. Dark: Black wins. About the sample.

Where it goes next

  • Bishop Attack, Bücker Gambit3...b5 · rare

How to play against it

As Black, pick ...c5 or ...c6 with ...d5 to hit back. Don't let White play e5 under ideal conditions, and keep f7 covered with ...e6 or ...Nf6 until you castle.

Questions

What are the moves of the Modern Defense: Bishop Attack?

The Modern Defense: Bishop Attack starts 1.e4 g6 2.d4 Bg7 3.Bc4. Its ECO code is B06.

Is the Modern Defense: Bishop Attack good for White?

Stockfish 17.1 rates the position +0.16 at depth 20, which is level. In 1,081 lichess games from our sample, White scored 49.9%. An aggressive line for White players who like early attacks, while Black needs a ready counter-strike in the center.

What is the main idea of the Modern Defense: Bishop Attack?

White points the bishop at f7 early and prepares e5. Black challenges with ...c5 or ...c6 and ...d5 to open the long diagonal for the g7 bishop.

What should Black play next?

The engine's first choice is c5, with d6 and c6 close behind. 3...c5 hits d4 at once, using the g7 bishop's pressure on the long diagonal.

Updated October 2026. Sources and method.