Chess Openings Lab
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Queen's Pawn Game: Modern Defense

The Modern Defense against 1.d4 is 1...g6, preparing ...Bg7 before committing any central pawn. White can grab the center with e4 or c4, while Black aims the bishop at d4 and strikes later with ...d5, ...c5 or ...e5.

Moves
1.d4 g6
ECO
A40
Engine
+0.64 · a slight edge for White (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
Played
27,612 games in our lichess sample
White scores
51.7%

Key ideas for both sides

White

  • 2.e4 builds a two-pawn center; after ...Bg7 and Nc3, push the center forward when Black is slow.
  • Against ...d5 after Nc3, take with exd5 and develop with Bc4 to keep the extra center control.
  • 2.c4 heads for Averbakh or King's Indian type setups with Nc3 and Nf3.
  • Do not overextend early; Black's g7 bishop punishes any loose or poorly supported pawn on d4.

Black

  • Fianchetto with ...Bg7 and aim it at d4 before choosing a central break.
  • The ...d5 break against e4 and Nc3 leads to open play where Black wins back d5 with ...Nf6.
  • Against 2.c4 play ...Nf6 and ...d5 for a Grünfeld-like fight against White's center.
  • Keep options of ...c5 or ...e5 to hit the d4 pawn once the bishop is out.

Plans and pawn structure

Black lets White build a center and then attacks it. The g7 bishop and later ...c5, ...e5 or ...d5 put pressure on d4. White wants to keep a broad center with e4 and c4, develop with Nc3 and Nf3, and castle before Black's breaks arrive. If White's pawns get too far ahead, Black's pieces find squares around them. If Black waits too long, White's space advantage grows.

Where the engine's main line heads: White pawn d4, no e-pawns for White, no d-pawn for Black. White has a pawn on d4 and no e-pawn; Black has no d-pawn. White has more central space; Black's pieces are free and the d4 pawn is a target.

What the engine plays from here

Stockfish 17.1 at depth 20 rates the position +0.64: a slight edge for White. Its three top choices for White:

  1. +0.64 2.e4 Bg7 3.Nc3 d5 4.exd5 Nf6
  2. +0.40 2.Nc3 d5 3.e4 dxe4 4.Nxe4 Nf6
  3. +0.36 2.c4 Nf6 3.Nc3 d5 4.Nf3 Bg7

Pawns, from White's side.

How it scores on lichess

27,612 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 51.7%.

under 120048.8%
1200–159951.2%
1600–199952.6%
2000 and up51.9%

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

Where it goes next

  • Averbakh System2.c4 · 1,353 games
  • Lizard Defense, Pirc-Diemer Gambit2.h4 · rare
  • Central, Benoni Beefeater Pterodactyl2.c4 · rare
  • London System, Pterodactyl Variation2.Nf3 · rare
  • Eastern, Benoni2.e4 · rare
  • Eastern, Benoni Pterodactyl2.Nc3 · rare

How to play against it

As White, take the center with 2.e4 or 2.c4 and develop calmly with Nc3 and Nf3. Do not push pawns before your king is safe. Watch the long diagonal: d4 is the main target, so keep it well protected by pieces and pawns.

Questions

What are the moves of the Queen's Pawn Game: Modern Defense?

The Queen's Pawn Game: Modern Defense starts 1.d4 g6. Its ECO code is A40.

Is the Queen's Pawn Game: Modern Defense good for Black?

Stockfish 17.1 rates the position +0.64 at depth 20, which is a slight edge for White. In 27,612 lichess games from our sample, White scored 51.7%. A flexible defense for Black players who like counterattacking setups, while White does well by taking space and developing calmly.

What is the main idea of the Queen's Pawn Game: Modern Defense?

Black fianchettoes the bishop first and lets White build a center, planning to attack it later. White takes space with e4 or c4 and keeps d4 well protected.

What should White play next?

The engine's first choice is e4, with Nc3 and c4 close behind. 2.e4 takes the center with two pawns before Black commits to ...d6 or ...d5.

Updated October 2026. Sources and method.