Chess Openings Lab
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Modern Defense: Kotov Variation

The Kotov Variation of the Modern Defense is 4...Nc6 against the Averbakh center, putting the knight in front of the c-pawn to hit d4. Black wants ...e5 next, while White can gain time with d5 and keep a big space advantage.

Moves
1.d4 g6 2.c4 Bg7 3.Nc3 d6 4.e4 Nc6
ECO
A42
Engine
+0.83 · a clear edge for White (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
Played
692 games in our lichess sample
White scores
51.8%

Key ideas for both sides

White

  • 5.d5 kicks the knight at once; after ...Nb8, White develops Nf3, h3 and Bd3 with more space.
  • Be3 first invites ...e5, then d5 forces the knight to e7, as in the second engine line.
  • Nge2 and f4 build a broad center, keeping the f-pawn free to advance.
  • Keep the c4, d5 and e4 chain intact so Black's knight has no good squares.

Black

  • Answer d5 with ...Ne5 or ...Nb8; the knight can return via d7 later.
  • After ...e5 and d5, play ...Nce7 and ...f5 for King's Indian style kingside play.
  • ...Nh6 supports ...f5 and keeps the f-file open behind it.
  • ...a5 and ...Na6-c5 give the queen's knight a new outpost after the center closes.

Plans and pawn structure

The c6 knight provokes d5, and once White plays it the center is closed with more space for White. Black then reroutes the knight via e7 or d7 and prepares ...f5 to fight on the kingside. White's plan is to develop with Nf3, Be2 or Bd3 and push on the queenside with c5, or to play f4 for central control. Timing of ...f5 decides Black's chances.

What the engine plays from here

Stockfish 17.1 at depth 20 rates the position +0.83: a clear edge for White. Its three top choices for White:

  1. +0.83 5.d5 Nb8 6.Nf3 Nf6 7.h3 O-O
  2. +0.79 5.Be3 e5 6.d5 Nce7 7.Nf3 Nh6
  3. +0.71 5.Nge2 Nf6 6.d5 Ne5 7.f4 Ned7

Pawns, from White's side.

How it scores on lichess

692 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 51.8%.

1200–159956.3%
1600–199953.5%
2000 and up49.2%

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

How to play against it

As White, take the space with d5 and develop calmly; the knight on c6 has to move again. Do not grab material at the cost of development. As Black, have ...e5 and ...f5 ready once the knight retreats.

Questions

What are the moves of the Modern Defense: Kotov Variation?

The Modern Defense: Kotov Variation starts 1.d4 g6 2.c4 Bg7 3.Nc3 d6 4.e4 Nc6. Its ECO code is A42.

Is the Modern Defense: Kotov Variation good for Black?

Stockfish 17.1 rates the position +0.83 at depth 20, which is a clear edge for White. In 692 lichess games from our sample, White scored 51.8%. A provocative system for Black players who enjoy King's Indian structures, though White gets an easy space edge.

What is the main idea of the Modern Defense: Kotov Variation?

Black puts the knight on c6 to hit d4 and prepare ...e5. White usually answers with d5, gains a tempo and keeps more space, so Black reroutes the knight and plays ...f5.

What should White play next?

The engine's first choice is d5, with Be3 and Nge2 close behind. 5.d5 gains a tempo on the knight and claims space in the center.

Updated October 2026. Sources and method.