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Modern Defense: what should White play?
Best move
Qd2+0.85
By playing Qd2, you are preparing for long-side castling while creating a battery with your f4. This setup eyes the kingside and prepares to launch a coordinated attack against…
- Games played
- 18K
- To move
- White
- Evaluation
- +0.85
- Depth
- 22
Game counts: Lichess opening book. Move ranking and evaluation: Stockfish. How this page is built
Why Qd2 is the best move
Qd2! — Excellent Choice!
✅ One of 3 top moves — you found a winning strategy!
Why this move is excellent:
By playing Qd2, you are preparing for long-side castling while creating a battery with your f4. This setup eyes the kingside and prepares to launch a coordinated attack against Black's fianchettoed structure.
Multiple Valid Strategies
| Move | Eval | Style / Strategic Idea |
|---|---|---|
| Qd2 | +0.85 | Aggressive: Prepares c1 castling and eyes the h6 square. |
| Nc3 | +0.85 | Developing: The most natural human move, simply controlling the center. |
| h4 | +0.78 | Attacking: A direct pawn storm to soften up the g6 and h7 pawns. |
Different paths, same destination: While most players (29%) instinctively choose the solid development of Nc3, your choice of Qd2 is a sophisticated "Grand Prix" style approach. Only 3% of humans find this move! It signals your intent to castle queenside and launch a pawn storm on the other wing.
Your Continuation
After Qd2:
h6 Nc3 a6 O-O-O
What Made This Move Good
You correctly saw: That Black's kingside setup with g6 and g7 provides a clear target. By moving the d2, you connect your rooks and prepare O-O-O, which safely tucks your king away before the center opens up.
📚 Takeaway: In positions with multiple good moves, trust your style. Whether you prefer the solid Nc3 or your aggressive Qd2, both maintain White's significant opening advantage!
What else gets played here
Move choices from 18K games in the opening book, with the engine's evaluation of each.
| Move | Evaluation | Played | Games | White score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nc3 | +0.85 | 13K | 54% | |
| Qd2Engine pick | +0.85 | 2.8K | 55% | |
| Be2 | +0.64 | 1.3K | 53% | |
| h3 | +0.67 | 553 | 47% | |
| h4 | +0.78 | 0 | — |
More positions in the Modern Defense
- Best moveBxf7+Bishop c4 → f7Ai Trap White E4 White Elo1000453K games
- Best moveNxd4Knight f3 → d4Zukertort Opening39K games
- Best moveBxf5Bishop c8 → f5Ai Opening Black Elo100039K games
- Best moveQxd7Queen d8 → d7Ai Opening Black Elo100036K games
- Best moveg6Pawn g7 → g6Ai Opening Black Elo100023K games
- Best moveNf6Knight g8 → f6Ai Opening Black Elo100011K games
Frequently asked questions
What is the best move for White in the Modern Defense?
Qd2 (+0.85). By playing Qd2, you are preparing for long-side castling while creating a battery with your f4. This setup eyes the kingside and prepares to launch a coordinated attack against…
Why is Qd2 the best move here?
By playing Qd2, you are preparing for long-side castling while creating a battery with your f4. This setup eyes the kingside and prepares to launch a coordinated attack against Black's fianchettoed structure.
How often does this position occur?
This position has been reached 18K times in the opening book.