Modern Defense: Pseudo-Austrian Attack: Plans and Traps

Key ideas for both sides

White

Nf3, Bd3 and O-O complete development; e5 then gains more space.
Be3 and Qd2 support a later e5 or f5 push against the g6 pawn.
h3 stops ...Bg4 and ...Ng4 jumps toward e3.
If ...Nb4 hits d3, step back with Be2 as in the top engine line instead of allowing the trade.

Black

4...Nf6 transposes to the Austrian Attack of the Pirc; castle and prepare ...c5 or ...e5.
...a6 and ...b5 gain queenside space and prepare ...Bb7 against e4.
...Nc6 hits d4 and supports ...e5; ...Nb4 can chase a bishop on d3.
...c5 strikes d4 and opens the long diagonal for the g7 bishop.

Plans and pawn structure

The f4 pawn supports e5 and gives White kingside space, but it loosens e3 and g3 and the long a7-g1 diagonal. Black must hit the center with ...c5 or ...e5 before White's e5 push arrives. If Black chooses ...a6 and ...b5, the game becomes a race between White's central space and Black's queenside play.

What the engine plays from here

Stockfish 17.1 at depth 20 rates the position +0.62: a slight edge for White. Its three top choices for Black:

+0.62 4...Nf6 5.Nf3 O-O 6.Bd3 Nc6 7.h3
+0.74 4...a6 5.Nf3 b5 6.Bd3 Nd7 7.e5
+0.84 4...Nc6 5.Be3 a6 6.Nf3 e6 7.Bd3

Pawns, from White's side.

How it scores on lichess

631 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 53.1%.

1200–159955.5%

1600–199954.7%

2000 and up49.6%

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

How to play against it

As Black, choose ...c5 or ...e5 and prepare it fully. Do not let White push e5 with all pieces developed. Keep an eye on f5 breaks once your king castles short.

Questions

What are the moves of the Modern Defense: Pseudo-Austrian Attack?

The Modern Defense: Pseudo-Austrian Attack starts 1.e4 g6 2.d4 Bg7 3.Nc3 d6 4.f4. Its ECO code is B06.

Is the Modern Defense: Pseudo-Austrian Attack good for White?

Stockfish 17.1 rates the position +0.62 at depth 20, which is a slight edge for White. In 631 lichess games from our sample, White scored 53.1%. An aggressive system for White players who like space, demanding quick and accurate counterplay from Black.

What is the main idea of the Modern Defense: Pseudo-Austrian Attack?

White builds a big pawn center with f4 while Black's knight is still on g8. Black must break with ...c5 or ...e5, or start queenside play with ...a6 and ...b5.

What should Black play next?

The engine's first choice is Nf6, with a6 and Nc6 close behind. 4...Nf6 develops and transposes to the Pirc Austrian Attack.

Updated October 2026. Sources and method.

Modern Defense: Pseudo-Austrian Attack