Chessy
Modern Defense: Bishop Attack — White’s practical guide
After 1.e4 g6 2.d4 Bg7 3.Bc4, you have a simple but important task: use your active bishop and central space without drifting into guesswork. The position is already well explored, and the main replies are easy to recognise in the drill below. The key is to stay calm, develop naturally, and know what the engine considers the strongest answer when Black challenges the centre. This page will help you spot the common choices and steer the opening into a position you understand.
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Create a free account →What this opening is really about
The Modern Defense: Bishop Attack is not about memorising a long trap tree. It is about handling the early tension after your bishop comes to c4 and Black keeps the king’s bishop on g7. You have space in the centre and an active piece, so your job is to keep that lead in activity while staying ready for Black’s counterplay. In this position, Stockfish rates it +0.24, a small edge for White. That means you are basically level, so play for good development and sensible central moves rather than trying to force something flashy.
The engine’s main answer to know
In this exact position, the engine’s best move is c5, and the continuation given is c5 c3 cxd4 cxd4. That tells you what Black is trying to do: hit the centre right away. As White, you should be ready to meet that idea without losing coordination. The drill is especially useful here because it trains you to recognise this central break quickly and respond with confidence instead of letting Black equalise comfortably.
What the database says about practical play
This position has been reached in 696,093 games at Lichess, so you are not dealing with a rare sideline. The results are close: White wins 49.7%, draws 3.5%, and Black wins 46.8%. That is a useful reminder that the position is playable for both sides, but White does not get an easy crush. If you learn the standard reactions here, you will score well enough in real games simply by avoiding loose moves and keeping your pieces active.
The replies you are most likely to face
Black’s most-played continuations are e6, d6, b6, Nf6, c6, and Nc6. The most common is e6 with 263,774 games, followed by d6 with 216,275 games. The rest appear far less often, but you should still know them because the drill may test your pattern recognition. One practical note stands out: b6 and Nf6 are listed as mistakes in this position, and both are worse than c5. So if Black plays one of those, you should know that the response is not the engine’s best choice.
How to use the drill well
Treat this as a training position for quick decisions, not a theory exam. When Black chooses a common reply, ask yourself whether the centre is being challenged and whether your bishop on c4 is still well placed. The main lesson is to keep your development smooth while staying alert for Black’s best central counter. If you can handle that, you will be ready for the most likely branches from this position and you will understand the position rather than just remembering moves.
Results across 696,093 Lichess games
| Most-played continuation | Games | White wins |
|---|---|---|
| e6 | 263,774 | 48.7% |
| d6 | 216,275 | 49.5% |
| b6 | 47,040 | 52.4% |
| Nf6 | 41,512 | 55.4% |
| c6 | 39,949 | 49.1% |
| Nc6 | 26,696 | 49.0% |
Frequently asked questions
Is the Modern Defense: Bishop Attack good for White?
Yes, it is perfectly playable for White. Stockfish rates this +0.24, a small edge for White, and the database results are very close. The position is basically level, so good practical play matters more than memorising a long line.
What is Black’s best move in this position?
The engine’s best move is c5. The continuation given is c5 c3 cxd4 cxd4, which shows Black trying to challenge the centre directly. In the drill, be ready for that central break.
What moves does Black choose most often here?
The most-played continuations are e6, d6, b6, Nf6, c6, and Nc6. The two most common are e6 and d6. Knowing these helps you answer the positions you are most likely to see in practice.
Which replies should I be careful about?
b6 and Nf6 are marked as inaccuracies in this position. Both are worse than c5, so they are useful moves to recognise when you are training. If Black chooses one of them, stay calm and look for the best way to keep your development flowing.
How many games feature the Modern Defense: Bishop Attack?
Over 696K Lichess games have reached the Modern Defense: Bishop Attack position. White wins 49.7%, Black wins 46.8%, with 3.5% draws — based on real rated games.