The Dunworthy Variation is a variation of the Modern Defense, catalogued as ECO B06. The line runs 1. e4 g6 2. d4 Bg7 3. c4 d5 4. exd5 c6 5. dxc6 Bxd4, reaching the position shown below after 10 half-moves.
The four central squares are empty of pawns, so the fight for them is being conducted by pieces, and one pawn capture is available, so the structure has not settled yet. Development is level at zero minor pieces each, and White is up a pawn of material. It is White to move after five moves. White has doubled pawns on the c-file; the d-file file is fully open.
On the Modern Defense generally: Similar to the Pirc but more flexible. Black fianchettoes the king's bishop early.
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The Dunworthy Variation goes 1. e4 g6 2. d4 Bg7 3. c4 d5 4. exd5 c6 5. dxc6 Bxd4. It is a variation of the Modern Defense and is catalogued as ECO B06.
The Dunworthy Variation 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. c4 d5 4. exd5 c6 5. dxc6 Bxd4 at +0.19 at depth 18, which is balanced. 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.
The four central squares are empty of pawns, so the fight for them is being conducted by pieces, and one pawn capture is available, so the structure has not settled yet. Development is level at zero minor pieces each, and White is up a pawn of material. It is White to move. White has doubled pawns on the c-file; the d-file file is fully open.