Chessy
The Modern Defense: Standard Defense f4 – Playing as Black
You've stepped into the Modern Defense, a hypermodern opening where you let White grab centre pawns while you attack them from the flanks. After 1.e4 g6 2.d4 Bg7 3.Nc3 d6 4.f4, White builds a big centre and prepares a kingside attack. Your reply 4...c5 immediately challenges the d4 pawn and fights for central space. This position has been played over 5,000 times online, and it's a sharp moment: the engine rates it +1.01, a clear edge for White, meaning you are clearly worse out of the opening. Don't panic — the statistics show Black scores nearly 46%, and White's most common moves are often inaccurate. The drill below will teach you how to navigate this exact tabiya with confidence.
Play the Modern Defense: Standard Defense: f4 against the engine
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Create a free account →What Black Is Fighting For
The Modern Defense asks you to be patient. After 4...c5, your lightsquared bishop on g7 is aimed at the d4 and e5 squares, ready to become a monster once those central pawns move. Your c5 pawn attacks d4 directly, forcing White to decide how to resolve the tension. If White captures on c5, you open the c-file for your rook. If White pushes d5, you'll later target that pawn with moves like ...e6 and ...Nf6. The key idea: you are not grabbing space yourself — you are letting White overextend, then striking at the weaknesses. The engine says you are worse here, but in practical play many White players mishandle the position.
The Engine's Best Reply: dxc5
Stockfish's top move for White is dxc5, capturing your c-pawn. The best continuation runs dxc5 Bxc3+ bxc3 Nf6. Notice you immediately check on c3 — this forces White's queenside pawns to double, ruining their structure. After ...Nf6 you attack the e4 pawn and develop naturally. White's doubled b-pawns become a long-term target. This line is sharp: in 1,389 games White scores 56.9% after dxc5, so it's the most threatening reply. When you face dxc5, memorise the sequence Bxc3+ then Nf6 — don't grab the pawn on c5 too early.
The Most Common Mistakes (and How to Punish Them)
Many White players make life easier for you by choosing the wrong move. Here are three frequent errors and what they mean for you: Nf3 (1,509 games, the most popular move) is an inaccuracy costing White about 0.7 pawns. White scores only 48.0% here — you are equal or better! Simply develop with ...Nc6, ...Nf6, and ...O-O. d5 is another inaccuracy, losing ~0.6 pawns. White scores 50.1%, hardly impressive. You can meet d5 with ...e6, breaking open the centre. Be3 is a full mistake, losing ~1.3 pawns. White scores just 48.4%. Here you should push ...cxd4 and take the initiative. If White plays any of these suboptimal moves, the engine says you go from clearly worse to roughly equal or better.
What the Statistics Reveal
Across 5,049 games from this exact position, the overall results are remarkably close: White wins 50.4%, draws 3.7%, and Black wins 45.9%. Despite the engine evaluation favouring White (+1.01), Black scores almost as many wins as White. This tells you two things. First, the position is harder for White to play correctly than the raw evaluation suggests. Second, most club players do not find the best plan. Look at the move-by-move stats: e5 (White scores 45.0%) and Bb5+ (White scores 41.0%) are terrible for White — if your opponent pushes e5 too early or gives check on b5, you are already having a good day. The Modern Defense rewards you when White gets impatient.
Results across 5,049 Lichess games
| Most-played continuation | Games | White wins |
|---|---|---|
| Nf3 | 1,509 | 48.0% |
| dxc5 | 1,389 | 56.9% |
| d5 | 920 | 50.1% |
| Be3 | 622 | 48.4% |
| e5 | 451 | 45.0% |
| Bb5+ | 105 | 41.0% |
Frequently asked questions
Is the Modern Defense: Standard Defense f4 good for Black?
The engine rates this position +1.01, a clear advantage for White, so you are worse in theory. However, practical results are much closer: Black wins 45.9% of games, and White's most common reply (Nf3) is an inaccuracy. The opening is fully playable at club level.
What is Black's best move after 4...c5?
You have already played 4...c5. The position is now White to move. Your best response depends on what White plays next. If they capture with dxc5, you should reply Bxc3+ then Nf6. If they play a slow move like Nf3 or Be3, you can develop naturally and seize the initiative.
Should Black capture on d4 after 4...c5?
Not immediately. In this position it is White to move, and Stockfish recommends dxc5 for White. If White plays d5 instead (an inaccuracy), you can eventually play ...e6 to challenge the centre. Let White decide how to resolve the tension.
Why does the engine say Black is worse after 4...c5?
The evaluation +1.01 reflects White's extra central space and attacking potential on the kingside. However, the engine's best line (dxc5 Bxc3+ bxc3 Nf6) shows Black gets excellent compensation: White's pawns are doubled on the b-file, and your bishops will become very active.