After 1.e4 g6 2.d4 Bg7 3.Nc3 c6, you've reached a crossroads. White's most flexible response is the quiet but useful 4.h3 — a move that takes the sting out of ...Bg4 before Black has even threatened it. The position is already comfortable for you. Across over 1,200 games from this exact spot, White scores a solid 59.8%, and the engine gives you a modest but stable edge at +0.63. The question is: what does Black play next, and how should you answer? The interactive drill below will sharpen your instincts for this line.
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Play the Modern Defense: Standard Line: c6 against the engine
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Set up the position and test yourself against the engine. Play the Modern Defense: Standard Line c6 drill now — it's free.
Find your own #1 mistake — free →The Point of h3: Prevention over Reaction
4.h3 might look slow, but it's a useful prophylactic move. Black's dark-squared bishop on g7 is their main weapon, and by preventing ...Bg4 you stop a pin on the knight you'll develop to f3. You also keep your pawn structure flexible — you haven't committed to f4 or Be3 yet. The statistics bear this out: from this position, White wins 59.8% of games, with only 3.5% ending in draws. That's a high conversion rate for a position this early, and it tells you that Black already has to work harder to equalise.
Black's Most Popular Replies and Your Score
Here's how White scores against the five most common Black replies, with at least 99 games each in the database: - d5 (306 games): White scores 58.2% - d6 (305 games): White scores 60.3% - Qb6 (162 games): White scores 54.3% - e6 (150 games): White scores 65.3% - Nf6 (99 games): White scores 55.6% The highest win-rate for White comes against e6, but there's a catch: e6 is actually a known inaccuracy, losing about 0.6 pawns compared to better moves. Against d6 — the engine's top choice — you still score a very healthy 60.3%.
The Engine's Top Choice: 4...d6
Stockfish's recommended move for Black is 4...d6, with the continuation d6 Nf3 Nf6 a4. Black solidifies the centre and prepares to develop the knight. After you play 5.Nf3, Black's most common follow-up is ...Nf6, and the engine suggests 6.a4 as your best response — a move that stops ...b5 ideas and grabs space on the queenside. Against the most-played reply 4...d5 (306 games), you can simply develop naturally. White still scores 58.2% here, and the engine evaluation of +0.63 remains in your favour.
A Surprising Mistake to Watch For
One of Black's options looks appealing but is actually a clear inaccuracy: 4...e6. It's been played 150 times and gives White your highest win rate (65.3%), but the engine flags it as losing roughly 0.6 pawns. Black's bishop on g7 gets blocked by the ...e6 pawn, and White can follow up with moves like Nf3 and Be3, preparing a quick central break with d5 or e5. If your opponent plays e6, you can be confident you've already gained an edge.
Results across 1,236 Lichess games
| Most-played continuation | Games | White wins | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | d5Main line | 306 | 58.2% |
| 2 | d6 | 305 | 60.3% |
| 3 | Qb6 | 162 | 54.3% |
| 4 | e6 | 150 | 65.3% |
| 5 | Nf6 | 99 | 55.6% |
| 6 | b5 | 59 | 61.0% |
Frequently asked questions
Is the Modern Defense a good opening for Black?
The Modern Defense is playable at all levels, but after 4.h3 in this line, White scores 59.8% across over 1,200 games. The engine gives you a +0.63 edge, so while Black isn't losing outright, you have a comfortable position with clear plans.
What is the best move for White against the Modern Defense: c6?
The engine's top move after 4.h3 is to continue with Nf3 and a4 if Black plays ...d6. Against Black's other replies like ...d5, ...Qb6, or ...Nf6, you can develop naturally with Nf3 and keep your edge. The position suits a flexible, space-gaining approach.
Why play 4.h3 instead of 4.Be3 or 4.Nf3?
4.h3 prevents ...Bg4, which can be an annoying pin after you develop your knight to f3. It's a useful waiting move that keeps your options open — you can still decide whether to put your bishop on e3, g5, or c4 on the next turn.
What is a common mistake Black makes in this line?
Playing 4...e6 is a known inaccuracy, losing about 0.6 pawns. It blocks Black's bishop on g7 and gives White a 65.3% win rate. If you see e6, you can develop with Nf3 and Be3, preparing a central break.