Modern Variation with 4...g6

With 4...g6 Black brings the bishop to the long diagonal and attacks White’s centre from afar with ...Nc6, ...dxe5 and ...a5.

1.e4 Nf6 2.e5 Nd5 3.d4 d6 4.Nf3 g6 5.Bc4 Nb6 6.Bb3 Bg7 7.O-O O-O 8.h3 Nc6

Move by move

1.e4 – White occupies the centre and opens diagonals for the queen and the f1-bishop.
1...Nf6 – The Alekhine Defence: the knight attacks e4 and invites the pawn forward, planning to attack the advanced white pawns later.
2.e5 – White accepts the challenge: the pawn chases the knight and gains space.
2...Nd5 – The knight centralises on d5, from where it eyes c3, b4, e3 and f4.
3.d4 – White adds a second pawn to the centre and supports e5.
3...d6 – Black immediately attacks the e5 spearhead: the typical way to challenge White’s centre.
4.Nf3 – The Modern Variation: White develops and defends e5 without pushing more pawns.
4...g6 – Black prepares the fianchetto: the g7-bishop will press on e5 and d4.
5.Bc4 – The bishop attacks the d5-knight and settles on the diagonal towards f7.
5...Nb6 – The knight retreats, gaining time on the c4-bishop.
6.Bb3 – The bishop stays on the a2-g8 diagonal, aimed at f7.
6...Bg7 – The bishop occupies the long diagonal and increases the pressure on e5.
7.O-O – White castles and holds e5 with d4 and the f3-knight.
7...O-O – Black castles: now he can think about ...Nc6, ...a5 and ...dxe5.
8.h3 – White prevents ...Bg4, which would pin the f3-knight, the defender of e5.
8...Nc6 – The knight develops and attacks e5 together with the d6-pawn and the g7-bishop.

White holds the d4-e5 centre, Black has developed everything and attacks e5 with the d6-pawn, the c6-knight and the g7-bishop.

...a5-a4 drives the b3-bishop off the a2-g8 diagonal; alternatively ...Na5 trades it.
...dxe5 followed by ...Bf5 and ...Qd7 increases the pressure on e5 and along the d-file.
If White defends with Re1 and Qe2, the ...c5 break opens the long diagonal against d4.
Do not let White push e6 or d5 with tempo: keep your pieces ready to control those squares.

The b3-bishop eyes f7 and protects the centre: it is White’s most annoying piece.