The Anti-Modern is a variation of the Modern Defense, catalogued as ECO B06. The line runs 1. e4 g6 2. d4 Bg7 3. Nc3 c6 4. Bc4 d6 5. Qe2, reaching the position shown below after 9 half-moves.
White holds the centre with pawns on d4 and e4. Development is level at two minor pieces each. It is Black to move after five moves.
On the Modern Defense generally: Similar to the Pirc but more flexible. Black fianchettoes the king's bishop early.
You can play through this variation move by move in your browser — Learn mode walks the line with an explanation at each step, and Drill mode replays it from memory so you find out whether you actually know it. No account is required.
See all 9 Modern Defense variations →
The Anti-Modern goes 1. e4 g6 2. d4 Bg7 3. Nc3 c6 4. Bc4 d6 5. Qe2. It is a variation of the Modern Defense and is catalogued as ECO B06.
The Anti-Modern is ECO B06. ECO codes group openings by their move order, so nearby codes cover closely related lines of the Modern Defense.
Stockfish evaluates the position after 1. e4 g6 2. d4 Bg7 3. Nc3 c6 4. Bc4 d6 5. Qe2 at +0.33 at depth 18, which is a slight pull for White, within normal opening margins. Engine evaluation is only a starting point — at club level the practical value of a line is mostly about whether you know its plans better than your opponent does.
White holds the centre with pawns on d4 and e4. Development is level at two minor pieces each. It is Black to move.