Modern Defense: Neo-Modern Defense
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Statistics from Lichess
52,706 games: White 51.6% / Draw 4.5% / Black 43.8%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 41,92142K | ||
| 4,0404,040 | ||
| 3,9653,965 | ||
| 1,5751,575 | ||
| 745745 | ||
| 322322 | ||
| 8787 | ||
| 2424 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 31, 2026
Engine evaluation
+0.74 White is better
Best play: 4. dxe5 Nc6 5. Nc3 Nxe5 6. f4 Nc6 7. Nf3 d6 8. Bd3 Nf6
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
Modern Defense: Neo-Modern Defense (ECO A41, Flank Openings) is a variation of the Queen's Pawn Game: Modern Defense, reached after 1. d4 g6 2. c4 Bg7 3. e4 e5 (3 moves).
In 52,706 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 51.6%, Black 43.8% and 4.5% were drawn. White's most played move here is 4. d5, in 80% 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: Neo-Modern Defense
4. dxe5 scores best for White: 63.6%, with White winning 61.0% and Black 33.9% of 3,965 games. The most played answer, 4. d5, scores lowest: 53.1% in 42K games. Stockfish's first choice is also 4. dxe5.
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: Neo-Modern Defense (A41)”. Lichess data as of 31 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/modern-defense-neo-modern-defense