Current position
Modern Defense: Averbakh System
1.e4 g6
The Modern Defense starts with 1.e4 g6 and is catalogued under ECO B06, in the semi-open games half of the book. The catalog indexes 39 lines inside it, grouped into 37 named variations, and the position after those moves has 2 playable continuations to walk from here.
Root edges show how often each move is played around your Elo. Use the arrow on a position to reveal the next replies.
Current setup
Move ideas
Takes central space with a protected pawn and frees the queen’s bishop.
Idea: Build a stable center that supports a broad positional setup.
Advances the g-pawn to gain kingside space and control new squares.
Idea: Create useful wing space while keeping the central structure flexible.
Advances the c-pawn to gain queenside space and control new squares.
Idea: Create useful wing space while keeping the central structure flexible.
Develops the bishop to g7, bringing it into the game.
Idea: Improve piece coordination and clear the back rank for castling and the rooks.
Develops the knight to c3, bringing it into the game.
Idea: Improve piece coordination and clear the back rank for castling and the rooks.
Advances to d6 to claim central space and control nearby key squares.
Idea: Give the pieces room to develop behind a durable central foothold.
Advances to e4 to claim central space and control nearby key squares.
Idea: Give the pieces room to develop behind a durable central foothold.
Waiting for Lichess game popularity.
Each line below is an indexed entry under Modern Defense. Open one to load it on the board and keep exploring from that position.
13 more named lines sit inside this family — the tree above walks all of them.
ECO groups openings by the structures they lead to, so these families tend to share plans with the Modern Defense.