Chess Openings Lab
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Modern Defense: Three Pawns Attack

The Three Pawns Attack is 1.e4 g6 2.d4 Bg7 3.f4, where White puts pawns on d4, e4 and f4 before developing a knight. Black can hit back with ...d5 or ...c5, or play ...Nh6 and ...d5, while White hopes to push e5 and hold a big space edge.

Moves
1.e4 g6 2.d4 Bg7 3.f4
ECO
B06
Engine
+0.45 · a slight edge for White (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
Played
2,524 games in our lichess sample
White scores
52.2%

Key ideas for both sides

White

  • Nf3 and e5 build a broad center, as in the first and third engine lines.
  • Be2, O-O and Nbd2 support the center and avoid ...Bg4 pins.
  • Against ...d6, play Nc3 and Nf3 and keep e5 ready.
  • If Black plays ...c5, consider dxc5 and Bd3 as in the second engine line.

Black

  • 3...Nh6 with ...d5 and ...O-O is the top engine plan, aiming at f5.
  • ...d5 and ...Bg4 attack the f3 knight that supports d4.
  • ...c5 hits d4; after dxc5 Black regains the pawn with ...Qa5.
  • Use ...Nf5 to pressure d4 once White pushes e5.

Plans and pawn structure

White's pawn wall gives space but leaves e3, g3 and the a7-g1 diagonal weak. If White pushes e5, Black plays ...d5, ...Nh6-f5 and ...c5 to hit d4. If White keeps tension, Black can play ...d6 and ...c5 to open lines. The fight is about whether White's center holds against Black's pressure.

What the engine plays from here

Stockfish 17.1 at depth 20 rates the position +0.45: a slight edge for White. Its three top choices for Black:

  1. +0.45 3...Nh6 4.Nf3 d5 5.e5 O-O 6.Be2
  2. +0.49 3...d6 4.Nc3 Nf6 5.Nf3 c5 6.dxc5
  3. +0.50 3...d5 4.e5 Nh6 5.Nf3 O-O 6.Be2

Pawns, from White's side.

How it scores on lichess

2,524 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 52.2%.

under 120059.8%
1200–159950.4%
1600–199953.6%
2000 and up47.9%

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

Where it goes next

  • Austrian, Pteranodon3...c5 · rare

How to play against it

As Black, attack d4 with ...c5 or ...Nf5. Do not let White develop freely behind the pawn wall. As White, guard d4 carefully and castle quickly.

Questions

What are the moves of the Modern Defense: Three Pawns Attack?

The Modern Defense: Three Pawns Attack starts 1.e4 g6 2.d4 Bg7 3.f4. Its ECO code is B06.

Is the Modern Defense: Three Pawns Attack good for White?

Stockfish 17.1 rates the position +0.45 at depth 20, which is a slight edge for White. In 2,524 lichess games from our sample, White scored 52.2%. An ambitious system for White players who like space, with Black getting good counterplay against d4.

What is the main idea of the Modern Defense: Three Pawns Attack?

White builds a big center with d4, e4 and f4. Black attacks it with ...d5, ...Nh6-f5 and ...c5, aiming at d4.

What should Black play next?

The engine's first choice is Nh6, with d6 and d5 close behind. 3...Nh6 aims the knight at f5 to pressure d4 and keeps the f-pawn free.

Updated October 2026. Sources and method.