Modern defence

The Modern Defence is a chess opening that begins with the moves:

1. e4 g6

It is a hypermodern opening, meaning that Black's strategy is to allow White to occupy the center with pawns, with the intention of undermining and attacking the center later on with piece play. The Modern Defence is a flexible opening that can lead to a wide variety of positions, and it has been played at all levels of chess, including by World Champions such as Garry Kasparov and Magnus Carlsen.

Here are some reasons why to play the Modern Defence:

* Flexibility: The Modern Defence is a flexible opening that can lead to a wide variety of positions. Black can choose from many different setups and can tailor their play to suit their style and preferences.

* Unbalanced positions: The Modern Defence tends to lead to unbalanced positions, with White often having more central control and Black having more active piece play. This can make it difficult for White to navigate the middlegame and can give Black good chances to launch a successful attack.

* Surprise value: The Modern Defence is not as popular as some other openings, so it can have surprise value against opponents who are not familiar with it.

Here are some reasons why you might not want to play the Modern Defence:

* Lack of central control: In the Modern Defence, Black allows White to occupy the center with pawns and does not immediately challenge it. This can make it difficult for Black to control the center and can give White a spatial advantage.

* Requires precise play: The Modern Defence requires precise play from Black, as White often has many ways to put pressure on Black's position. Black must be careful to avoid falling behind in development or allowing White to create weaknesses in their position.

* Not as well-established as some other openings: The Modern Defence is not as well-established as some other openings, such as the Sicilian Defence or the French Defence. This means that there is less theoretical guidance available for Black, and Black players may need to rely more on their own understanding and analysis.

Overall, the Modern Defence is a solid and flexible opening that can be a good choice for players who are looking for unbalanced positions and are willing to put in the work to understand its complexities. However, it may not be the best choice for players who prefer more straightforward positions or who are not comfortable with hypermodern openings.