Pirc Defense position after 1.e4 d6. White: pawn on e4, pawn on a2, pawn on b2, pawn on c2, pawn on d2, pawn on f2, pawn on g2, pawn on h2, rook on a1, knight on b1, bishop on c1, queen on d1, king on e1, bishop on f1, knight on g1, rook on h1. Black: rook on a8, knight on b8, bishop on c8, queen on d8, king on e8, bishop on f8, knight on g8, rook on h8, pawn on a7, pawn on b7, pawn on c7, pawn on e7, pawn on f7, pawn on g7, pawn on h7, pawn on d6.
Pirc Defense is a chess opening that arises after 1.e4 d6. It is classified B00 in the ECO system, and the position after these moves has white to move. The Pirc Defense allows White a full pawn centre and develops behind it with a kingside fianchetto, planning to undermine the centre later with c5 or e5. It is the hypermodern answer to 1.e4, built on the idea that a big centre can be a target as easily as an asset.
This position can also be reached by 3 other move orders, including 1.e4 d6 2.d4.
Strategic character
Flexible and somewhat provocative. Black's position is compact but passive early, and against the sharpest setups such as the Austrian Attack, precise play is required to avoid being overrun.
Who should play it
Players who like counterattacking positions and are comfortable being objectively slightly worse in exchange for flexibility.
Variations continuing from this position
Each of these is a named opening reached by playing on from 1.e4 d6. Open any of them to load the position on the board.
The Pirc Defense is a chess opening that arises after 1.e4 d6. It is classified B00 in the ECO system. The Pirc Defense allows White a full pawn centre and develops behind it with a kingside fianchetto, planning to undermine the centre later with c5 or e5. It is the hypermodern answer to 1.e4, built on the idea that a big centre can be a target as easily as an asset.
What are the moves of the Pirc Defense?
1.e4 d6. After these moves it is white to move.
Is the Pirc Defense good for beginners?
Players who like counterattacking positions and are comfortable being objectively slightly worse in exchange for flexibility.
What variations come from the Pirc Defense?
Named continuations include Rat Defense: Harmonist, Rat Defense: Petruccioli Attack, Rat Defense: Spike Attack, King's Pawn Game: Maróczy Defense, Rat Defense: Antal Defense. There are 38 named variations reachable from this position in total.