Semi-open games

Pirc Defense

1.e4 d6

The Pirc Defense starts with 1.e4 d6 and is catalogued under ECO B00, in the semi-open games half of the book. The catalog indexes 28 lines inside it, grouped into 23 named variations, and the position after those moves has 7 playable continuations to walk from here.

Opening repertoire map

Root edges show how often each move is played around your Elo. Use the arrow on a position to reveal the next replies.

Current position
Pirc Defense
Popularity by Elo
Share of Lichess blitz, rapid, and classical games that continued with each move.
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Current setup

Move ideas

  1. 1.e4

    Claims the center with a pawn and opens lines for the queen and king’s bishop.

    Idea: Build quick development and make early castling possible.

  2. 1…d6

    Advances to d6 to claim central space and control nearby key squares.

    Idea: Give the pieces room to develop behind a durable central foothold.

  3. 2.d4

    Advances to d4 to claim central space and control nearby key squares.

    Idea: Give the pieces room to develop behind a durable central foothold.

  4. 2…Nf6

    Develops the knight to f6, bringing it into the game.

    Idea: Improve piece coordination and clear the back rank for castling and the rooks.

  5. 3.Nc3

    Develops the knight to c3, bringing it into the game.

    Idea: Improve piece coordination and clear the back rank for castling and the rooks.

  6. 3…g6

    Advances the g-pawn to gain kingside space and control new squares.

    Idea: Create useful wing space while keeping the central structure flexible.

Book continuations

Waiting for Lichess game popularity.

7 moves
f4Pirc Defense: Austrian Attack7 named lines · Pirc Defense: Austrian Attack, Unzicker Attack · Pirc Defense: Austrian Attack, Weiss VariationAdvances the f-pawn to gain kingside space and control new squares.Idea: Create useful wing space while keeping the central structure flexible.Nf3Pirc Defense: Classical Variation6 named lines · Pirc Defense: Classical Variation, Quiet System · Pirc Defense: Classical Variation, Schlechter VariationDevelops the knight to f3, bringing it into the game.Idea: Improve piece coordination and clear the back rank for castling and the rooks.Be3Pirc Defense3 named lines · Pirc Defense: 150 Attack · Pirc Defense: 150 Attack, Inner Doll DefenseDevelops the bishop to e3, bringing it into the game.Idea: Improve piece coordination and clear the back rank for castling and the rooks.Be2Pirc Defense2 named lines · Pirc Defense: Bayonet Attack · Pirc Defense: Chinese VariationDevelops the bishop to e2, bringing it into the game.Idea: Improve piece coordination and clear the back rank for castling and the rooks.Bc4Pirc Defense: Kholmov System1 named lineDevelops the bishop to c4, bringing it into the game.Idea: Improve piece coordination and clear the back rank for castling and the rooks.Bg5Pirc Defense: Byrne Variation1 named lineDevelops the bishop to g5, bringing it into the game.Idea: Improve piece coordination and clear the back rank for castling and the rooks.g3Pirc Defense: Sveshnikov System1 named lineAdvances the g-pawn to gain kingside space and control new squares.Idea: Create useful wing space while keeping the central structure flexible.

Named variations

Each line below is an indexed entry under Pirc Defense. Open one to load it on the board and keep exploring from that position.

Openings from the same volume

ECO groups openings by the structures they lead to, so these families tend to share plans with the Pirc Defense.