A40 · Semi-Closed · a defense for Black
Modern Defense: Lizard Defense, Pirc-Diemer Gambit
5/5
1.d4g62.h4Nf63.h5
Live databaseLichess 1600–2000 · blitz + rapid
Modern Defense: Lizard Defense, Pirc-Diemer Gambit4.6k games · Black to move
MoveWhite / draw / BlackPlayedGamesScore
79%3.6k50%
11%48144%
4.4%20244%
2.1%9543%
1.7%7942%
0.4%1853%
0.4%1825%
0.3%1443%
0.2%1136%
0.2%1132%
Famous games in this line7 master games
Sichinava, Z. (2298) – Matlakov, M. (2686)David, Alberto (2455) – Kantsler, Boris (2495)Samovojska, Damir (2355) – Dizdar, Goran (2535)Casagrande, Harald (2365) – Lau, Ralf (2510)Novik, Maxim (2490) – Klimakovs, Sergejs (2287)Mukic, Josko (2365) – Sarno, Spartaco (2412)Casagrande, Harald (2385) – Rolletschek, Heinrich (2370)Heroes of this opening Kantsler, Boris · Dizdar, Goran · Lau, Ralf · Klimakovs, Sergejs
- Family
- Modern Defense
- Category
- Semi-Closed
- First move
- 1.d4
- ECO
- A40
- Line
- 1. d4 g6 2. h4 Nf6 3. h5
GambitFianchettoHypermodern
★ Read the guide: Modern DefenseExplore all 40 Modern Defense lines →Keep exploring
Nearby lines in the family
From the archives
Letting White build the entire center while fianchettoing quietly was considered borderline disrespectful until players like Kotov and later Suttles made it a system. The Modern is the purest hypermodern bet on the board: the big center is not an asset — it's a target.
Study this opening