Pirc Defense: Classical Variation, Quiet System, Czech Defense position after 1.e4 d6 2.d4 Nf6 3.Nc3 g6 4.Nf3 Bg7 5.Be2 O-O 6.O-O c6. White: pawn on d4, pawn on e4, knight on c3, knight on f3, pawn on a2, pawn on b2, pawn on c2, bishop on e2, pawn on f2, pawn on g2, pawn on h2, rook on a1, bishop on c1, queen on d1, rook on f1, king on g1. Black: rook on a8, knight on b8, bishop on c8, queen on d8, rook on f8, king on g8, pawn on a7, pawn on b7, pawn on e7, pawn on f7, bishop on g7, pawn on h7, pawn on c6, pawn on d6, knight on f6, pawn on g6.
Pirc Defense: Classical Variation, Quiet System, Czech Defense is a chess opening that arises after 1.e4 d6 2.d4 Nf6 3.Nc3 g6 4.Nf3 Bg7 5.Be2 O-O 6.O-O c6. It is classified B08 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.
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.
This line is a variation within the Pirc Defense family. The strategic ideas above describe the family as a whole; this particular line reaches them by the move order 1.e4 d6 2.d4 Nf6 3.Nc3 g6 4.Nf3 Bg7 5.Be2 O-O 6.O-O c6.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Pirc Defense: Classical Variation, Quiet System, Czech Defense?
The Pirc Defense: Classical Variation, Quiet System, Czech Defense is a chess opening that arises after 1.e4 d6 2.d4 Nf6 3.Nc3 g6 4.Nf3 Bg7 5.Be2 O-O 6.O-O c6. It is classified B08 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: Classical Variation, Quiet System, Czech Defense?
1.e4 d6 2.d4 Nf6 3.Nc3 g6 4.Nf3 Bg7 5.Be2 O-O 6.O-O c6. After these moves it is white to move.
Is the Pirc Defense: Classical Variation, Quiet System, Czech Defense good for beginners?
Players who like counterattacking positions and are comfortable being objectively slightly worse in exchange for flexibility.