Chessy
Modern Defense: Mongredien Defense, with Nc3
After 1.e4 g6 2.d4 Bg7 3.Nc3 b6, White gets the move and a comfortable position. That is the reality you need to face in this opening: the line is playable, but it asks Black to defend accurately from the start. In the drill below, your job is to find practical moves, meet White’s most common ideas, and avoid drifting into a slow squeeze. If you want this line in your repertoire, treat it as a test of patience and precision rather than a sharp counterattack.
Play the Modern Defense: Mongredien Defense, with Nc3 against the engine
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Play the drill now and test your defensive technique as Black. Create a free account to track your progress and come back to this line anytime.
Create a free account →What the position says right away
Stockfish rates this +0.95, a clear advantage for White. That means you are already worse here, and you should expect White to keep the pressure unless you play very carefully.
The database numbers tell the same story. Across 300,151 games at this exact position, White scores 52.9%, draws 3.7%, and Black wins 43.3%. In other words, this is not a line where you can rely on easy equality; you need to know how to survive the opening and keep the game practical.
The engine’s main answer
The engine’s best move here is Nf3. The suggested continuation is Nf3 d6 Ng5 Bb7.
For Black, the important lesson is simple: do not panic, but do not waste tempi either. White has a lead in the position, so your moves should help pieces come out smoothly and keep your king safe. In the drill, look for moves that meet White’s development without creating fresh weaknesses.
White’s most common tries
White’s most-played continuations show a very clear practical pattern. Nf3 is the most common choice, with 120,690 games and White scoring 52.7%. Be3 appears in 52,556 games and gives White 56.3%. e5 appears in 36,103 games with White scoring 47.9%. f4 appears in 24,488 games and gives White 54.3%. Bf4 appears in 17,086 games with White scoring 52.3%, and Bc4 appears in 13,120 games with White scoring 53.7%.
That means you should expect White to develop naturally and often play for space. Your task is not to fight every idea at once, but to stay solid and make each White move count for less than it wants to.
How to think as Black here
This opening suits players who can defend calmly and accept that the position is not fully equal. You are not trying to prove anything with a quick attack; you are trying to keep the game alive while White carries the burden of the extra comfort.
A good practical approach is to focus on the basics:
- develop smoothly
- keep the king safe
- avoid creating loose targets
- respond to White’s initiative without overreacting
If you remember nothing else, remember this: White starts with the better position, so your moves need to be accurate and purposeful from the very beginning.
Results across 300,151 Lichess games
| Most-played continuation | Games | White wins |
|---|---|---|
| Nf3 | 120,690 | 52.7% |
| Be3 | 52,556 | 56.3% |
| e5 | 36,103 | 47.9% |
| f4 | 24,488 | 54.3% |
| Bf4 | 17,086 | 52.3% |
| Bc4 | 13,120 | 53.7% |
Frequently asked questions
Is the Modern Defense: Mongredien Defense, with Nc3 sound for Black?
It is playable, but the numbers here are not flattering for Black. Stockfish gives +0.95, a clear advantage for White, and the database also shows White scoring better overall. If you choose it, you should do so as a practical weapon, not because it promises easy equality.
What is the engine’s best move for White in this position?
The engine’s best move here is Nf3. The suggested continuation is Nf3 d6 Ng5 Bb7. That tells you White can keep the pressure on while developing naturally.
What should Black aim for after 1.e4 g6 2.d4 Bg7 3.Nc3 b6?
Black should aim for smooth development and solid piece coordination. Since White already has a lasting advantage, your main goal is to avoid making the position worse with careless moves. Stay patient and make White work for every bit of progress.
Which White setups are most common here?
The most-played continuations are Nf3, Be3, e5, f4, Bf4, and Bc4. That means White usually develops normally and often takes space. Prepare for a calm, strategic fight rather than a forced tactical battle.
How many games feature the Modern Defense: Mongredien Defense, with Nc3?
Over 300K Lichess games have reached the Modern Defense: Mongredien Defense, with Nc3 position. White wins 52.9%, Black wins 43.3%, with 3.7% draws — based on real rated games.