Pirc Defense
The Pirc Defense starts 1.e4 d6, usually followed by ...Nf6 and ...g6 with the bishop on g7. Black lets White build a broad center with d4 and Nc3, then attacks it with ...e5 or ...c5, while White tries to use the extra space for a kingside attack or a central push.
- Moves
- 1.e4 d6
- ECO
- B00, B07
- Engine
- +0.51 · a slight edge for White (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
- Played
- 75,086 games in our lichess sample
- White scores
- 51.1%
Key ideas for both sides
White
- Take the center with 2.d4 and develop with Nc3, the engine's top line, so both e4 and d4 are protected.
- Choose an aggressive system: f4 for the Austrian Attack, or Be3 and Qd2 for the 150 Attack.
- Play Nf3 and Be2 for the 4.Nf3 system, a calm setup with a small, stable edge.
- Use the e5 push when Black's knight is on f6, gaining space and kicking the knight.
Black
- Develop with ...Nf6 and ...g6, then ...Bg7 and ...O-O, aiming the bishop at d4.
- Strike the center with ...e5 or ...c5 once development is complete.
- The engine's top line plays ...Nf6 and ...e5 at once, keeping a sturdy structure with ...Nbd7 and ...Be7.
- Use ...c6 and ...b5 to gain queenside space against White's long castling.
Plans and pawn structure
White has the center and more space. In the Austrian Attack White pushes e5 to drive the f6 knight away; in the 150 Attack White plays Be3, Qd2 and Bh6 to trade the g7 bishop and then attacks with h4 and h5. Black waits for the right moment to hit back with ...e5 or ...c5, using the g7 bishop on the long diagonal. In the 4.Nf3 lines both sides castle short and play a slower game around the d4 and e5 squares.
Where the engine's main line heads: Central tension: d4 and e4 against e5. Central tension: d4 and e4 against e5. One capture changes the character of the game.
What the Pirc is about
After 1.e4 d6 Black plans ...Nf6, ...g6 and ...Bg7. White is allowed to build a large center with d4 and Nc3, and Black aims to undermine it later with ...e5 or ...c5 with help from the g7 bishop. It is a hypermodern idea: control the center from a distance first, then strike.
Across 75086 games White scored 51.1%. The engine likes White a little more than in most 1.e4 replies. Its top line, 2.d4 Nf6 3.Nc3 e5 4.Nf3 Nbd7 5.a4 Be7, shows a Black setup with ...e5 instead of ...g6, which is close to the Philidor structure.
Because Black allows so much space, the Pirc is a test of timing. If Black's breaks come in time, White's center can become a target. If they come too late, White's attack decides.
The main variations
The Classical Variation, 4.Nf3, is the most played. White develops normally with Be2 and O-O, keeps the center firm and plays for a small edge.
The Austrian Attack, 4.f4, builds a three-pawn center with e4, d4 and f4. White threatens e5 to kick the f6 knight, and Black must hit back quickly, often with ...c5.
The Byrne Variation, 4.Bg5, puts the bishop on g5 at once, ready for Qd2 and a later Bh6. White scored 53.9% here.
The 150 Attack, 4.Be3 c6 5.Qd2, aims to trade the g7 bishop with Bh6 and attack with h4. It is direct and easy to learn.
The Kholmov System, 4.Bc4, puts the bishop on c4 toward f7. It is less ambitious, and the engine edge is smaller.
The Roscher Gambit, 3.Nf3, leaves e4 without enough support. Black can take with ...Nxe4, and the engine prefers Black.
The Sveshnikov System, 4.g3, is a rare but sound option: White fianchettoes the bishop and keeps the center firm without committing to an attack.
Typical plans for White
White's space gives a choice between attack and slow pressure. In the aggressive lines, Be3, Qd2 and Bh6 trade the g7 bishop, then h4 and h5 open the h-file. White often castles long in these lines. In the Austrian Attack, f4 and e5 gain space and push the f6 knight back.
- Keep the center protected; Black's ...c5 and ...e5 aim at d4.
- In the 4.Nf3 lines, castle short and play a4 to stop ...b5.
- Use the d5 square if Black plays ...e5 and the center closes.
Typical plans for Black
Black finishes development first: ...Nf6, ...g6, ...Bg7 and ...O-O. Then comes a central break. The move ...e5 fights for the dark squares and opens the c8 bishop; ...c5 attacks d4 and opens the long diagonal for the g7 bishop.
- Against long castling, use ...c6, ...b5 and ...Qa5 for a queenside counterattack.
- Against 4.Nf3, ...Bg4 can pin the f3 knight and increase pressure on d4.
- Keep the g7 bishop if possible; it is Black's best defender and attacker.
In the slow 4.Nf3 lines, White often plays h3 to stop ...Bg4 and a4 to stop ...b5, then waits for Black to commit before choosing a plan.
Mistakes club players make
- White playing 3.Nf3 before Nc3. Black takes e4 with the knight and the engine prefers Black in the Roscher Gambit.
- Black waiting too long. If White completes Be3, Qd2, f3 and O-O-O while Black only develops, the attack arrives first.
- Black allowing e5 with tempo. In the Austrian, an early e5 can push the knight away and cramp Black badly.
- White overextending. Pushing f4, e5 and g4 without development leaves holes that the g7 bishop can use.
Who should play it
The Pirc suits Black players who like counterattacking chess and do not mind giving White space. It needs good timing: the breaks ...e5 and ...c5 must come before White's attack lands. Players who prefer solid structures may find the Caro-Kann or French more comfortable.
For White, the 150 Attack and the Austrian Attack give direct play, while 4.Nf3 suits players who want a calm, stable edge.
The Pirc often transposes to the Modern Defense after ...g6 and ...Bg7, so knowing both structures helps with either side of the board.
What the engine plays from here
Stockfish 17.1 at depth 20 rates the position +0.51: a slight edge for White. Its three top choices for White:
- +0.51 2.d4 Nf6 3.Nc3 e5 4.Nf3 Nbd7
- +0.40 2.Nf3 c5 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6
- +0.29 2.Nc3 c5 3.Nge2 e5 4.Nd5 Ne7
Pawns, from White's side.
How it scores on lichess
75,086 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 51.1%.
Light: White wins. Grey: draws. Dark: Black wins. About the sample.
Variations of the Pirc Defense
- Maróczy Defense2.d4 · 6,188 games
- Harmonist2.f4 · 3,921 games
- Petruccioli Attack2.h4 · rare
- Spike Attack2.g4 · rare
- Lion Variation, Sozin Variation2.d4 · rare
- Fuller Gambit2.f4 · rare
How to play against it
As White, take the center with d4 and Nc3 and pick one clear plan: an attack with Be3 and Qd2 or the Austrian f4, or a quiet setup with Nf3 and Be2. Avoid 3.Nf3 before Nc3, which lets Black grab the e4 pawn.
Full guide: how to beat the Pirc Defense
Other lines with this name
The lichess opening list also files these lines under the same name, though they reach a different position: 1.e4 d6 2.d4; 1.e4 d6 2.d4 Nf6; 1.e4 d6 2.d4 Nf6 3.Nc3 g6.
Questions
What are the moves of the Pirc Defense?
The Pirc Defense starts 1.e4 d6. Its ECO code is B00, B07.
Is the Pirc Defense good for Black?
Stockfish 17.1 rates the position +0.51 at depth 20, which is a slight edge for White. In 75,086 lichess games from our sample, White scored 51.1%. A fighting choice for Black players who like counterattacks and are willing to defend against a broad center.
What is the main idea of the Pirc Defense?
Black lets White build a big center and then attacks it with pieces and pawn breaks. The g7 bishop, ...e5 and ...c5 are Black's main weapons, while White uses space for attack.
What should White play next?
The engine's first choice is d4, with Nf3 and Nc3 close behind. 2.d4 takes the center with two pawns, making ...Nf6 hit a well-protected e4 pawn.
Updated October 2026. Sources and method.