Modern Defense: 20 Ideas You Must Know | Opening Masterclass

Everything you need to know about the Modern opening - 1.e4 g6.

Intro: 0:00
Part I - Basics: 0:43
Part II - Aggressive Setups: 16:52
Part III - Positional Setups: 50:21
Part IV - Miscellaneous: 1:18:30

[blu-blu-blu-ble-ble-ble]

5:50 met him like 2 months ago, very kind dude

[Ebobster]

Great re-cap. One interesting way to play the modern is to play a6 before committing to d6, so that if White plays into an “Austrian” attack set up with say 1. e4, g6 2. d4, Bg7 3. Nc3, a6 4.f4 Black can strike back in the center with d5 (a delayed/improved Mittenberger Gambit where Black can always regain the sacrificed d-pawn or break up or ossify white’s center pawns and if White does not play 4.f4, Black can always play 4.. d6 transposing back into a Pirc with 5… Nf6 or even a Hippo set up e7/Ne7. The other benefit of 3… a6 is if White plays 4.a4 because Black has use of the b4 square , Black can attack white’s center with Nc6/e5 and if White responds d5 Black can play Nb4 & then attack d5 with c6. The Modern is very complex but does well per most master games database. That said, until one has a lot of experience, it’s quite easy to make one slip up & get rolled on the king side. I only use the Modern now as a selective surprise weapon as got tired of my local club opponents rolling out their computer prep against me. Notably, both the author of the “tiger modern” and the modernized modern/Pirc have stated that making the modern one’s main opening is risky IF one’s opponent is well versed in the engine recommended lines.

[TheChingChongSlayer]

First time youtube algorithm does good job, got my sub

[blu-blu-blu-ble-ble-ble]

gonna be playing this in the Swedish championship this month

[thetotalitarianturtle]

Great video, I love the focus on positional and tactical ideas rather than concrete theory as just positional understanding is so much more important for less experienced players. I will certainly be checking out your other videos!

And you mentioned you didn't know why it was called the "150 Attack", the story goes is that in England, they thought that the attack was so easy to carry out that even a 150 ECF rated player could win with it as White (exact conversion to FIDE doesn't really exist but it would be like 800-1200 FIDE at the time of the opening name originating). So it was mostly a joke at the expense of the Modern and Pirc defense.

[capurera]

Absolutely lovely video. Love your stuff

[DendrocnideMoroides]

Are you planning on covering the Grunfeld defense?

[iancoughlan]

Hey Sam, great content. I see you have done a fair few videos like this and was curious. How many different openings do you personally play in serious games?

[MidlifeMuser]

Hi Sam, how much do you charge per lesson? Thanks!