A40 · Modern Defense

Modern Defense: Beefeater Variation

1. d4 g6 2. c4 Bg7 3. Nc3 c5 4. d5 Bxc3+ 5. bxc3 f5
♜♞♝♛♚♞♜♟♟♟♟♟♟♟♟♟♟♟♟♟♟♟♟♜♝♛♚♝♞♜
The position after 1. d4 g6 2. c4 Bg7 3. Nc3 c5 4. d5 Bxc3+ 5. bxc3 f5, White to move.

In the Modern Defense: Beefeater Variation, aim to understand the plans and pawn structures, not just memorize the first moves.

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The Modern Defense: Beefeater Variation is a chess opening classified under ECO code A40. It is reached after the moves 1. d4 g6 2. c4 Bg7 3. Nc3 c5 4. d5 Bxc3+ 5. bxc3 f5: 10 moves in, with White to play.

It belongs to the Modern Defense family — one of many ways the line can branch. Understanding the parent system’s plans is the fastest way to play this variation well.

Club players rarely lose the Modern Defense: Beefeater Variation in the opening itself. They lose it a few moves later, when the plan behind the moves runs out: that is what reading your own games in this line shows you.

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