Chessy
Modern Defense: Mongredien Defense with Nf3
After 1.e4 g6 2.d4 Bg7 3.Nf3 b6, you have reached a position where White to move already has the more pleasant game. Stockfish rates it +1.02, a clear, lasting advantage for White. That does not mean you are lost, but it does mean you need to know exactly what you are aiming for as Black. Use the drill below to learn the ideas, meet White’s most common choices, and practise the move that the engine prefers here.
Play the Modern Defense: Mongredien Defense, with Nf3 against the engine
Free, no signup — you play black, the engine adapts to your level.
Play the drill and test your handling of this position against the engine. Create a free account to track your progress and come back to the line anytime.
Create a free account →What this position is telling you
This setup is a good reminder that fianchetto openings are not automatically equal. Here, White has the move and the better evaluation, so you are defending from an early stage rather than reaching an easy, healthy equality. The practical goal is simple: stay calm, complete your development, and avoid giving White extra targets. Because the position already favours White, you should value solid piece placement and king safety over sharp improvisation.
The engine’s main answer
The engine’s best move here is Nc3, and its continuation is Nc3 d6 h4 h5. That is the line to understand in the drill, because it shows how White is trying to keep the initiative and press quickly. As Black, your job is not to panic when White chooses an active developing move. Instead, you should learn the pattern of meeting direct play with steady development and resisting the urge to weaken your own position further.
What the game statistics say
The database confirms that this is not a comfortable area for Black. Across 1,471,174 games at this exact position, White wins 50.8%, draws 3.8%, and Black wins 45.3%. That is a large practical sample, and it matches the engine’s verdict: White scores better and Black is fighting an uphill battle. The lesson is not that the opening is unplayable, but that you need accurate handling very early if you want to stay in the game.
White’s most common continuations
White has several natural moves here, and the most-played continuations are all active. Nc3 is the most common choice at 465,945 games, followed by Bc4 at 235,146 games, e5 at 167,734 games, c4 at 134,257 games, Bd3 at 119,528 games, and Be3 at 118,836 games. That tells you White usually develops quickly and keeps options open. As Black, prepare for straightforward piece development and be ready to meet multiple healthy setups rather than one fixed pattern.
Results across 1,471,174 Lichess games
| Most-played continuation | Games | White wins |
|---|---|---|
| Nc3 | 465,945 | 51.6% |
| Bc4 | 235,146 | 52.2% |
| e5 | 167,734 | 48.0% |
| c4 | 134,257 | 50.7% |
| Bd3 | 119,528 | 51.2% |
| Be3 | 118,836 | 50.9% |
Frequently asked questions
Is the Modern Defense: Mongredien Defense with Nf3 good for Black?
It is playable, but the numbers here are not in Black’s favour. Stockfish gives +1.02, which is a clear, lasting advantage for White. You should treat this as a line where accurate defence matters from the start.
What is White trying to do in this position?
White is using a lead in development to take the more pleasant game. The engine’s preferred move is Nc3, and the most common continuations are active developing moves too. That means you need to stay solid and not drift into passive play.
What should I study first as Black?
Start with the engine’s best move and the main continuation around it: Nc3 d6 h4 h5. Then compare that with the most-played white choices such as Bc4, e5, c4, Bd3, and Be3. The drill helps you practise responding to those ideas without memorising a long tree.
Does the database suggest Black holds this comfortably?
No. Across 1,471,174 games, White scores better than Black, and the draw rate is only 3.8%. That is a clear sign that Black needs careful handling to avoid drifting into a worse ending or a difficult middlegame.
How many games feature the Modern Defense: Mongredien Defense, with Nf3?
Over 1 million Lichess games have reached the Modern Defense: Mongredien Defense, with Nf3 position. White wins 50.8%, Black wins 45.3%, with 3.8% draws — based on real rated games.