Chessstack

Modern Defense: Three Pawns Attack

ECO code
B06
Moves
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About this variation

White plays f4 before developing the knights, building a big center with pawns on d4, e4 and f4.

The Three Pawns Attack is 1. e4 g6 2. d4 Bg7 3. f4. White builds a large pawn center with pawns on d4, e4 and f4 before developing the knights, similar to the Austrian Attack in the Pirc. The idea is to gain space and prepare e5, but the advanced pawns can become targets if Black strikes back in time.

Black's main replies are 3...d6, keeping the game in Modern or Pirc territory, 3...c5, striking at d4 immediately, and 3...d5, challenging e4 and reaching structures similar to some French or Caro-Kann lines. Each approach aims to use White's lack of development.

White's plans include Nf3, Bd3 and O-O, supporting the center and preparing e5 or f5. White can also aim for a kingside attack with f5 and Qe1-h4 in some lines. If White's center holds, Black can be squeezed.

Black's ideas include ...c5 to undermine d4, ...Nc6 and ...Bg4 to pressure the center, and ...e5 in some lines to challenge f4. Black aims to show that White's pawns are overextended and to use the bishop on g7 against the weakened dark squares.

The Three Pawns Attack leads to sharp positions where both sides must play precisely. White must be careful not to fall behind in development, and Black must strike at the center before White's attack arrives.

This line suits White players who like big centers and attacking chances. Black players should prepare one main reply, such as 3...c5 or 3...d6, since natural development without a plan can leave Black cramped.

One concrete line is 3...c5 4. c3 cxd4 5. cxd4 d5 6. e5, when Black attacks d4 with ...Nc6 and ...Nh6-f5. White's main answer to 3...c5, though, is 4. d5, gaining space Benoni-style.

It is one of the main lines of the Modern Defense.

Modern Defense: Three Pawns Attack statistics

The Modern Defense: Three Pawns Attack was reached in 5,380 master games (<0.1% of all master games), and White scored 49% from there. On Lichess it comes up in <0.1% of games, most often among players rated 1801–2000 (0.1%).

Master games

5,380

<0.1% of games between players rated 2500+

Club games on Lichess

172.8K

<0.1% of games between players rated up to 2400

White wins Draws Black wins

How often it comes up, by rating

  • 0–1000 <0.1%
  • 1001–1200 <0.1%
  • 1201–1400 <0.1%
  • 1401–1600 <0.1%
  • 1601–1800 <0.1%
  • 1801–2000 0.1%
  • 2001–2200 <0.1%
  • 2201–2400 <0.1%

Most common next moves in master games

MoveGamesPlayedResults
3... d62,19141%
3... d51,27224%
3... c596318%
3... c670213%
3... e61202.2%

Famous players with the most games here

  • Hikaru Nakamura 28 games
  • Daniel Naroditsky 23 games
  • Alexandra Botez 10 games
  • Chessbrah 5 games

Master games from the Chessmont database (CC BY-SA 4.0). Club games from the Lichess open database.

Other Modern Defense variations