The Classical Variation, Modern Defense is a variation of the Neo-Grünfeld Defense, catalogued as ECO D77. The line runs 1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 g6 3. g3 Bg7 4. Bg2 O-O 5. O-O d5 6. c4 dxc4, reaching the position shown below after 12 half-moves.
White holds the centre with pawns on d4. Development is level at two minor pieces each, and Black is up a pawn of material. It is White to move after six moves. Both kings have castled kingside, so play tends to shift to the centre and the opposite flank; Black has doubled pawns on the c-file.
On the Neo-Grünfeld Defense generally: ECO D70. A chess opening with 13 known variations.
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See all 13 Neo-Grünfeld Defense variations →
The Classical Variation, Modern Defense goes 1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 g6 3. g3 Bg7 4. Bg2 O-O 5. O-O d5 6. c4 dxc4. It is a variation of the Neo-Grünfeld Defense and is catalogued as ECO D77.
The Classical Variation, Modern Defense is ECO D77. ECO codes group openings by their move order, so nearby codes cover closely related lines of the Neo-Grünfeld Defense.
Stockfish evaluates the position after 1. d4 Nf6 2. Nf3 g6 3. g3 Bg7 4. Bg2 O-O 5. O-O d5 6. c4 dxc4 at +0.28 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. Development is level at two minor pieces each, and Black is up a pawn of material. It is White to move. Both kings have castled kingside, so play tends to shift to the centre and the opposite flank; Black has doubled pawns on the c-file.