Modern Defense: Standard Line
The Standard Line of the Modern Defense is 1.e4 g6 2.d4 Bg7 3.Nc3, where White guards e4 with the knight and keeps all options open. Black now chooses a structure: ...d6 for the Standard Defense, ...c6 for Gurgenidze or Suttles setups, or the rare ...d5 gambit.
- Moves
- 1.e4 g6 2.d4 Bg7 3.Nc3
- ECO
- B06
- Engine
- +0.59 · a slight edge for White (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
- Played
- 2,353 games in our lichess sample
- White scores
- 55.5%
Key ideas for both sides
White
- Against ...d6, Be3 with Qd2 or f4 are the most direct setups.
- Against ...c6, f4 and Nf3 build a big center, as the second engine line shows.
- Against 3...d5, take on d5 and develop Bc4 and Nf3 to keep the extra pawn.
- Keep e4 protected so the g7 bishop has no target on the long diagonal.
Black
- 3...d6 is the main move, heading for the Standard Defense.
- 3...c6 prepares ...d5 and can lead to the Gurgenidze setup with ...d5 and ...h5.
- The ...b6 move is the Mongredien idea, putting a second bishop on b7.
- 3...d5 is the Mittenberger Gambit: Black gives a pawn for ...Nf6 and quick development.
Plans and pawn structure
This is the main crossroads of the Modern. White has a solid two-pawn center backed by Nc3 and can choose Be3 and Qd2, f4, or Nf3 depending on Black's setup. Black decides between ...d6 lines that aim for ...e5 or ...c5, ...c6 lines that aim for ...d5 or ...b5, and ...b6 setups. White scored 55.5% in the sample, so Black must know the structure well.
What the engine plays from here
Stockfish 17.1 at depth 20 rates the position +0.59: a slight edge for White. Its three top choices for Black:
- +0.59 3...d5 4.exd5 Nf6 5.Bc4 c6 6.dxc6
- +0.63 3...c6 4.f4 Nh6 5.Nf3 d5 6.e5
- +0.67 3...d6 4.Be3 c6 5.f4 Qb6 6.Qd2
Pawns, from White's side.
How it scores on lichess
2,353 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 55.5%.
Light: White wins. Grey: draws. Dark: Black wins. About the sample.
Where it goes next
- Standard Defense3...d6 · 2,770 games
- Two Knights Variation, Suttles Variation3...c6 · 805 games
- Mongredien Defense, with Nc33...b6 · 459 games
- Lizard Defense, Mittenberger Gambit3...d5 · rare
- Sicilian, Quetzalcoatlus3...c5 · rare
- Gurgenidze Defense3...c6 · rare
- Two Knights Variation, Suttles Variation, Tal Gambit3...d6 · rare
How to play against it
As Black, choose one setup and learn its plans; the main move is 3...d6. Avoid the ...d5 gambit unless you know it well. As White, keep a flexible center and pick your setup after Black commits.
Questions
What are the moves of the Modern Defense: Standard Line?
The Modern Defense: Standard Line starts 1.e4 g6 2.d4 Bg7 3.Nc3. Its ECO code is B06.
Is the Modern Defense: Standard Line good for White?
Stockfish 17.1 rates the position +0.59 at depth 20, which is a slight edge for White. In 2,353 lichess games from our sample, White scored 55.5%. The main road of the Modern, rewarding Black players who know one setup deeply and White players who adapt to it.
What is the main idea of the Modern Defense: Standard Line?
White protects e4 with Nc3 and waits for Black's choice. Black picks between ...d6, ...c6 and ...b6 setups, each with its own pawn breaks.
What should Black play next?
The engine's first choice is d5, with c6 and d6 close behind. 3...d5 gives a pawn to open lines; it is the engine's first choice, but ...d6 and ...c6 are more common.
Related lines
- Modern Defense
- Two Knights Variation
- Standard Defense
- Three Pawns Attack
- Geller's System
- with Nf3
- How to beat the Modern Defenseguide
Updated October 2026. Sources and method.