Chess Openings Lab
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Hungarian Opening: Reversed Modern Defense

The Reversed Modern Defense arises after 1.g3 d5 2.Bg2 c5, where Black places pawns on c5 and d5 and claims a wide center. White develops with Nf3 and castles, then attacks that pawn pair with d4 or c4 and the long diagonal.

Moves
1.g3 d5 2.Bg2 c5
ECO
A00
Engine
+0.23 · level (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
Played
852 games in our lichess sample
White scores
52.8%

Key ideas for both sides

White

  • 3.Nf3 first keeps the d4 option; after ...cxd4 take with the knight, and the g2 bishop then aims at b7.
  • Strike with 3.d4 at once, and if Black captures on d4, bring the knight to f3 and win the pawn back later.
  • The c4 push invites ...d4; then Nf3, e3 and O-O give a reversed Benoni with play against that pawn.

Black

  • Use the center: ...Nc6, ...Nf6 and ...e6 give a broad pawn duo backed by every minor piece.
  • After White's d4 and Nxd4, play ...e5 to chase the knight and take more central space, as the top line shows.
  • If White plays c4, push ...d4 to gain space and shut the g2 bishop out of the game.

Plans and pawn structure

Black has an English-type center with colors reversed, and White uses the extra tempo to attack it. With d4, White trades a wing pawn for a central one and aims the knight and the g2 bishop at c6 and b7. Black's best plan is to keep central space with ...e5 or ...d4 and develop quickly with ...Nc6 and ...Nf6. If Black overpushes, those pawns become targets for c4, e3 and rooks on the d-file.

What the engine plays from here

Stockfish 17.1 at depth 20 rates the position +0.23: level. Its three top choices for White:

  1. +0.23 3.Nf3 e6 4.d4 cxd4 5.Nxd4 Nf6
  2. +0.12 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nf3 Nf6 5.O-O h6
  3. −0.06 3.c4 d4 4.Nf3 Nc6 5.e3 Nf6

Pawns, from White's side.

How it scores on lichess

852 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 52.8%.

under 120062.9%
1200–159953.1%
1600–199952.7%
2000 and up50.4%

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

How to play against it

As White, do not let Black keep both center pawns for free. Play 3.Nf3 and then d4 or c4 to challenge them. After ...cxd4 recapture with the knight, and be ready to move it again when ...e5 comes. Avoid slow moves like a3 that give Black time for ...Nc6 and ...e5.

Questions

What are the moves of the Hungarian Opening: Reversed Modern Defense?

The Hungarian Opening: Reversed Modern Defense starts 1.g3 d5 2.Bg2 c5. Its ECO code is A00.

Is the Hungarian Opening: Reversed Modern Defense good for Black?

Stockfish 17.1 rates the position +0.23 at depth 20, which is level. In 852 lichess games from our sample, White scored 52.8%. An ambitious setup for Black players who like space, but it asks for accurate play once White starts hitting the center.

What is the main idea of the Hungarian Opening: Reversed Modern Defense?

Black builds a big c5 and d5 center against White's fianchetto. White uses Nf3, castling and a well-timed d4 or c4 to attack those pawns while the g2 bishop presses on the long diagonal.

What should White play next?

The engine's first choice is Nf3, with d4 and c4 close behind. 3.Nf3 develops first and keeps d4 ready, so Black must decide how to hold the c5 and d5 pawns.

Updated October 2026. Sources and method.