Caissa Codex
B06

Modern Defense: Dunworthy Variation

Chess diagram: Modern Defense: Dunworthy Variation after 5…Bxd4

Type a move and press Enter: e4, Nf3, O-O, or from and to squares like g1f3 (e7e8q to promote). The board is also played with the mouse.

Play any move on the board to explore from there, or step through the line with ‹ › and the arrow keys.

Statistics from Lichess

242 games: White 38.8% / Draw 4.5% / Black 56.6%

The moves played next. Pick one to see it on the board.
Next moveGamesWhite / Draw / BlackW / D / B
8080
3838
3434
3232
2222
1212
1010
55

Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 31, 2026

Engine evaluation

+0.26 The position is about equal

Best play: 6. cxb7 Bxb7 7. Qb3 Qb6 8. Qxb6 axb6 9. Ne2 Bg7 10. Nbc3 Nh6

Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.

Overview

Modern Defense: Dunworthy Variation (ECO B06, Semi-Open Games) is a variation of the Modern Defense, reached after 1. e4 g6 2. d4 Bg7 3. c4 d5 4. exd5 c6 5. dxc6 Bxd4 (5 moves).

In 242 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 38.8%, Black 56.6% and 4.5% were drawn. White's most played move here is 6. cxb7, in 33% of those games.

Written from the Lichess opening list and explorer. Know this line well? Write about it.

Write a description or report a mistake
What would you like to send?

Markdown supported (headings ###, bold, lists, links). Submissions are reviewed before publishing.

Other lines from the same position

Instead of 3. c4 d5 4. exd5 c6 5. dxc6 Bxd4, the position after Modern Defense also goes on to:

Cite this page

Caissa Codex. “Modern Defense: Dunworthy Variation (B06)”. Lichess data as of 31 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/modern-defense-dunworthy-variation

https://chesscodex.org/openings/modern-defense-dunworthy-variation