Modern Defense: what should White play?

In this position from the Modern Defense, White enjoys full central control while Black prepares counterplay around the g7 bishop and central breaks. The primary recommendation is Nc3, which develops a minor piece, defends the e4 pawn, and controls key central squares while yielding an engine evaluation of +0.93. White has several harmonious alternatives, but developing the queenside knight remains the most natural continuation to preserve an opening advantage.

Central Development with Nc3

The move Nc3 is the standard approach, appearing in 60.6% of recorded games (2.43M recorded) with White scoring 52.9%. By placing the knight on c3, White reinforces the central pawn structure and readies kingside piece activity. An illustrative engine continuation runs Nc3 d6 Bd3 Nc6 Bg5 Nge7, where White maintains a solid spatial edge while completing piece development.

Slower Solid Alternatives: c3 and Bd3

Players who favor a more rigid pawn structure often select c3, which accounts for 16.5% of games (663K recorded) with White scoring 50.8% and an evaluation of +0.77. This secures the d4 pawn directly, as shown in the sequence c3 Nc6 a4 d6 a5 e5. Another popular setup is Bd3, chosen in 19.8% of games (793K recorded, scoring 52.1%, eval +0.76), leading into setups such as Bd3 Nc6 Be3 d6 h3 a6.

Aggressive Options: Bf4 and h4

White can also steer the game into sharper channels immediately. The development Bf4 is seen in 1.7% of games (69K recorded) with an evaluation of +0.86, exemplified by Bf4 d6 Nc3 h6 e5 Ne7. Alternatively, the flank thrust h4 scores 61.9% across 1.4% of games (55K recorded, eval +0.80), initiating direct kingside pressure via h4 h6 Nc3 d6 Qe2 Nc6.