Modern Defense: Gurgenidze Defense
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Statistics from Lichess
35,030 games: White 46.6% / Draw 6.6% / Black 46.7%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 23,19423K | ||
| 4,2584,258 | ||
| 2,9812,981 | ||
| 2,7872,787 | ||
| 783783 | ||
| 286286 | ||
| 279279 | ||
| 236236 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 30, 2026
Engine evaluation
+0.72 White is better
Best play: 6. h3 Bf5 7. Nf3 e6 8. Be2 Bf8 9. Be3 Nd7 10. Ng5 Qc7
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
Modern Defense: Gurgenidze Defense (ECO B06, Semi-Open Games) is a variation of the Modern Defense: Standard Line, reached after 1. e4 g6 2. d4 Bg7 3. Nc3 c6 4. f4 d5 5. e5 h5 (5 moves).
In 35,030 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 46.6%, Black 46.7% and 6.6% were drawn. White's most played move here is 6. Nf3, in 66% of those games.
Written from the Lichess opening list and explorer. Know this line well? Write about it.
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How to play against the Modern Defense: Gurgenidze Defense
6. Be3 scores best for White: 52.6%, with White winning 49.4% and Black 44.3% of 2,981 games. The most played, 6. Nf3, scores 50.1% in 23K games, and 6. Bd3 scores lowest: 48.2%. Stockfish's first choice is 6. h3.
Main answers: those played in at least 5% of these games. Score: White's wins plus half the draws, in rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500. How to play against other popular openings
Cite this page
Caissa Codex. “Modern Defense: Gurgenidze Defense (B06)”. Lichess data as of 30 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/modern-defense-gurgenidze-defense