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Modern Defense: Three Pawns Attack with c5
The Modern Defense is a hypermodern setup where Black lets White grab centre space early, then tries to tear it down. After 1.e4 g6 2.d4 Bg7 3.f4, White has launched the Three Pawns Attack — a bold, space-gobbling approach. When Black strikes back immediately with 3...c5, White's best reply is 4.d5, closing the centre and daring Black to find a plan. You have a small but real edge here: Stockfish evaluates the position at +0.67, a clear plus for White. That means you are slightly better — but only if you know what to do next. This page will show you how to handle Black's most common responses and where your opponents go wrong.
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You have advanced three pawns on the kingside and centre, and Black's pawn on c5 is asking you to capture or advance. 4.d5 is the right call — it keeps your pawn chain intact and leaves Black cramped. The point of the Three Pawns Attack is to use your space to build a kingside attack, not to let Black open lines for free. Your pawn on d5 is your anchor. Don't trade it off unless you get something big in return. Black's bishop on g7 looks scary, but behind the pawn chain it's currently firing at a wall.
Black's best try: d6 (the engine's choice)
The most played move by far is 4...d6 (10,525 games in the database). It's also Stockfish's top recommendation. Black prepares ...e6 or ...e5, challenging your centre. The engine's ideal continuation is d6 a4 a6 Nf3 — White plays 5.a4 to stop any ...b5 expansion, then 6.Nf3 to develop naturally. Your plan is simple: finish development, keep the centre closed, and look for a kingside push with f5 or g4. The statistics are honest: White scores only 47.3% from here, so Black's setup is solid. Stay patient — your space advantage will count in the middlegame.
Punish Black's common inaccuracies
Several popular moves are genuine mistakes that drop about half a pawn or more. Here is what to look for: - 4...Qb6 (2,865 games) is an inaccuracy worth ~0.6 pawns. Black attacks b2 and d4, but after 5.d5 your pawn is safe, and Black's queen is exposed to tempo-gaining moves like Nc3 or Be3. - 4...Qa5+ (1,517 games) is also an inaccuracy (~0.6 pawns). This just gives you a free developing move with 5.Bd2 or 5.Nc3, after which Black's queen has no great square. - 4...Nf6 (1,494 games) loses about 0.5 pawns. The knight looks active, but after 5.Nc3 you threaten e5, and Black often has to retreat or complicate in ways that favour your centre. Each of these moves gives you a chance to increase your edge beyond +0.67. Don't let it slip.
What to do against the solid replies
Two moves score respectably for Black and deserve your attention: 4...e6 (2,431 games, White scores 49.2%) and 4...e5 (445 games, White scores 53.7%). Against 4...e6, Black immediately challenges d5. Your best reply is probably 5.Nc3, developing with a threat to the pawn on e6 after dxe6. If Black recaptures with ...fxe6 (opening the f-file), that can actually help your kingside attack. Against 4...e5, Black closes the centre from the other side. Now your plan shifts to a slow build-up: develop your pieces, consider f5 to open lines, and keep an eye on the d5 outpost. Your winning chances are highest here — 53.7% — so play actively.
The engine's verdict and your winning plan
Stockfish rates this position +0.67, a small but clear edge for White. That means you are better, but not by much — you still need to play well. The 20,607-game database tells a cautious story: White wins 48.5%, draws 2.8%, Black wins 48.7%. Yes, Black's winning percentage is almost identical to yours. The Three Pawns Attack is not a forced win — it's a practical weapon that gives you a comfortable position with attacking chances. Your job is to use your space to outplay your opponent in the middlegame, not to search for a knockout in the opening. Develop naturally, keep the centre closed if possible, and prepare a kingside pawn storm.
Results across 20,607 Lichess games
| Most-played continuation | Games | White wins |
|---|---|---|
| d6 | 10,525 | 47.3% |
| Qb6 | 2,865 | 47.0% |
| e6 | 2,431 | 49.2% |
| Qa5+ | 1,517 | 50.6% |
| Nf6 | 1,494 | 53.5% |
| e5 | 445 | 53.7% |
Frequently asked questions
Is the Modern Defense: Three Pawns Attack good for White?
Yes, it gives White a small advantage. Stockfish evaluates the position after 3...c5 4.d5 at +0.67, which favours White. The engine sees a solid edge, and your space advantage gives good attacking chances. However, the database shows nearly equal winning percentages (48.5% White, 48.7% Black), so the opening is sharp and both sides can play for a win.
What is Black's best move after 4.d5 in the Three Pawns Attack?
Stockfish recommends 4...d6 as Black's top move, and it is also the most popular choice (10,525 games in the database). Black prepares to challenge your centre with ...e6 or ...e5. The engine's ideal continuation continues with a4 and Nf3 for White, building a safe setup while maintaining the space advantage.
How should White respond to 4...Qb6 in the Modern Defense?
The move 4...Qb6 is an inaccuracy that loses about 0.6 pawns compared to better alternatives like 4...d6. You can simply continue with 5.Nc3 or 5.Be3, threatening to trap or harass the queen. Since your pawn on d5 is already defended and the queen's attack on b2 is harmless at this stage, you gain time by developing with threats.
Why are Black's winning chances so high in this opening?
Despite White's +0.67 engine advantage, the Lichess database of 20,607 games shows Black wins 48.7% of the time — nearly identical to White's 48.5%. This is common in sharp, space-gaining openings: the position requires accurate play from both sides. If White overextends or attacks too hastily, Black's counterplay can become dangerous quickly.