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Guided lesson · Intermediate · Openings

Modern Defence: space without a premature attack

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Black plays ...g6 and ...Bg7 without committing the g8-knight yet. As White, you occupy the centre, but those pawns need pieces behind them. Compare f4, gaining space, with Bc4 and quieter development. ...a6 often prepares ...b5: decide whether to develop or restrain it with a4. Do not mistake the absence of a black knight on f6 for a lack of central pressure.

The key idea

Support the centre with pieces; after ...a6 assess ...b5 before choosing development or a4.

Example 1 · Supporting the f4 centre

The knight reinforces d4 and e5 behind your pawns.

  1. Nf3 The knight reinforces d4 and e5 behind your pawns.
  2. b5 ...b5 gains queenside space.
  3. Bd3 The bishop supports e4 and prepares castling.
  4. Nd7 ...Nd7 develops and eyes e5; your centre still needs support.

Example 2 · Restraining ...b5

Nc3 supports e4 and increases control of d5.

  1. Nc3 Nc3 supports e4 and increases control of d5.
  2. a6 ...a6 prepares queenside space with ...b5.
  3. a4 a4 controls b5 and restrains that immediate advance.
  4. h6 ...h6 controls g5; you still need to secure your king.

Practice

You play White. Practice two decisions from this line: Supporting the f4 centre.

  1. The knight reinforces d4 and e5 behind your pawns. a4 is also playable, but calls for a different response to the pressure on b5. Here develop the knight with Nf3. Be3, Be2 are also playable, with different continuations.
  2. You keep a sound position. Stay alert to the centre and the advance ...b4. There are several sound continuations: Bd3, e5, Be3. Choose one and check what remains to be developed.

A broad centre needs support: before advancing again, count the pieces defending your central pawns.