June 30, 2026

[Katherine Wise](https://blog.duolingo.com/author/katherine/)

# Chess openings: What is the Modern Defense?

Looking for a new opening to learn? Discover the Modern Defense!

Learning openings requires understanding chess notation, the system for naming pieces and moves. [Get a refresher on chess notation here](https://blog.duolingo.com/chess-notation/)!

## Modern Defense: 3 quick facts

- The Modern Defense, sometimes known as the Robatsch Defense, is a flexible, [solid](https://blog.duolingo.com/popular-chess-openings/#solid) [hypermodern](https://blog.duolingo.com/popular-chess-openings/#hypermodern) opening that is similar to the [Pirc Defense](https://blog.duolingo.com/pirc-defense/).
- Like the Pirc, the Modern Defense isn’t commonly seen in [grandmaster](https://blog.duolingo.com/how-to-become-a-chess-grandmaster/) games because it is relatively [passive](https://blog.duolingo.com/popular-chess-openings/#passive) for Black. One advantage, however, is that it is less [theory](https://blog.duolingo.com/popular-chess-openings/#theory)-heavy than many more popular choices like the [Sicilian Defense](https://blog.duolingo.com/sicilian-defense/) or the [Ruy Lopez](https://blog.duolingo.com/ruy-lopez-opening/).
- This opening can often [transpose](https://blog.duolingo.com/popular-chess-openings/#transposition) into the Pirc Defense or even the [King’s Indian Defense](https://blog.duolingo.com/kings-indian-defense/), depending on how White plays.

## Modern Defense: the moves

Here are the moves for the Modern Defense:

💡

1\. e4 g6

## A defense with many possibilities

If you’re an intermediate to advanced player who enjoys [hypermodern](https://blog.duolingo.com/popular-chess-openings/#hypermodern) openings that take your opponent into uncharted territory, try the Modern Defense!

If you’re looking for more openings, check out [our guide featuring over 30 options](https://blog.duolingo.com/popular-chess-openings/) for every skill level!