Tree path 5 levels Queen's Pawn Game › Modern Defense › Modern Defense › Averbakh System › Modern Defense: Kotov Variation
- Chess Codex
- Queen's Pawn Game A40
- Modern Defense A40
- Modern Defense A41
- Averbakh System A42
- Modern Defense: Kotov Variation A42 you are here
Modern Defense: Kotov Variation
Overview
Modern Defense: Kotov Variation is a named branch in the Flank Openings group of chess theory, classified under ECO A42.
The Flank Openings group covers flank openings — systems that delay the central pawn break and instead develop pieces and pawns on the wings.
It is reached after 8 plies of play, with the move sequence 1. d4 g6 2. c4 Bg7 3. Nc3 d6 4. e4 Nc6.
In the opening tree, this line branches off from Modern Defense: Averbakh System, part of the broader Queen's Pawn Game system.
Use the board to walk through every move, check how the position has scored on Lichess, or take it head-to-head against Stockfish.
- ECO code
- A42
- Group
- Flank Openings (A)
- Plies
- 8
This overview is generated automatically from the opening's metadata. Know this line well? Write a description — submissions are reviewed before publishing.
Statistics from Lichess
821,196 games · White 45.8% / Draw 5.1% / Black 49.0%
| Moves | Games | W / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| Be3 | 391,037 | |
| Nf3 | 229,561 | |
| d5 | 97,627 | |
| Nge2 | 50,075 | |
| f3 | 17,951 | |
| f4 | 16,386 | |
| Be2 | 8,306 | |
| h3 | 4,293 |
Source: Lichess Opening Explorer · cached 2026-09-26 01:44:53
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