Pirc Defence

ECO B07–B09 · Level: Intermediate · Also known as: Modern Savunma, Avustralya Saldırısı

The Pirc Defence cedes the centre to White, fianchettoes the bishop on g7 and attacks the centre later. It is a flexible hypermodern defence.

Position at the end of the main line

Main line

1.e4 d6 2.d4 Nf6 3.Nc3 g6

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History

Named after the Slovenian master Vasja Pirc, it became popular in the mid-20th century with the ideas of the hypermodern school.

White's plan

  • Austrian Attack (f4) with a big centre and the e5 push.
  • Be3, Qd2, long castling and Bh6 for a king attack (the '150 Attack').

Black's plan

  • Hit the centre from the flank with the g7 bishop and ...c5/...e5 breaks.
  • Stay flexible and punish White for overextending.

Key variations

Who should play it?

For Black players who like counter-attacking and are happy to contest the centre later.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between the Pirc and the Modern?

In the Pirc Black plays ...Nf6 early; in the Modern, ...g6 and ...Bg7 come first and the knight later.

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Related openings

  • King's Indian Defence — The King's Indian lets White build a big centre first, then counter-attacks with the g7 bishop and the ...e5 and ...f5 pawn breaks.
  • Sicilian Dragon — In the Dragon, Black fianchettoes the bishop on g7, where it breathes fire down the long diagonal at White's queenside.
  • Alekhine's Defence — Alekhine's Defence (1.e4 Nf6) provokes White's pawns forward and then attacks them.

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