ECO B07 · for Black
Pirc Defense
The line below is what Lichess 1600-1800 players actually play: after the opening's defining moves, each move is the most common choice at that point. The notes are Chessbook's move notes, the same ones shown while building a repertoire.
2,883,927 games in this band reached the Pirc Defense position. From there Black won 46% and drew 4%.
1. e4 d6 2. d4 Nf6 3. Nc3 g6 4. Nf3 Bg7 5. Bd3 O-O 6. O-O Bg4 7. h3 Bxf3 8. Qxf3 Nc6
Moves 1 to 2
1. e4 d6 2. d4 Nf6
1. e4
"Best by test" according to Bobby Fisher.
1... d6
Instead of contesting the center immediately, Black intends to attack it indirectly in "hypermodern" fashion.
2. d4
Black has allowed White to get the ideal pawn center, but will soon start to put pressure on White's center with moves like Nf6 and Bg7.
2... Nf6
Developing the knight to a natural square, preparing to castle kingside and controlling the center.
Moves 3 to 4
3. Nc3 g6 4. Nf3 Bg7
3. Nc3
Developing the knight to its most natural square and protecting the e4 pawn.
3... g6
Preparing to fianchetto the bishop to pressure White's center and add pressure to d4.
4. Nf3
A natural developing move which adds more defense to the center.
- 4. Bg5: Threatening to double black's pawns and preparing to play Qd2 and either force a weakness or trade off black's best minor piece, the bishop on g7.
- 4. f4: White's most aggressive variation against the Pirc Defense, preparing an e5 advance in the future.
4... Bg7
Continuing to take aim at White's center.
Moves 5 to 6
5. Bd3 O-O 6. O-O Bg4
5. Bd3
Developing the bishop to the center and preparing to castle.
- 5. Bc4: Developing the light-squared bishop and fighting for control of the center. White is also preparing to castle.
- 5. Be3: Developing the bishop and aiming to castle queenside. White will likely play Qd3 and Bh6 if given the chance as well.
5... O-O
6. O-O
Getting the king to safety and bringing the rook closer to the clash in the center.
6... Bg4
Moves 7 to 8
7. h3 Bxf3 8. Qxf3 Nc6
7. h3
7... Bxf3
8. Qxf3
8... Nc6
Plans for Black in this position
What Black usually does from here in Chessbook's games data. Hover a move to see it on the board.
- The pawn on e5 typically captures the pawn on d4
- The knight on f6 often moves to d7
- The knight on c6 can move to d4 or e7
- Common pawn moves are e5, c5, and a6
Related opening guides
- Sicilian Defense for Black
- French Defense for Black
- Scandinavian Defense for Black
- Caro-Kann Defense for Black
- Scandinavian Defense: Mieses-Kotroc Variation for Black
- Philidor Defense for Black