B00
Pirc Defense
1. e4 d6 2. d4 Nf6
In the Pirc Defense, aim to understand the plans and pawn structures, not just memorize the first moves.
The Pirc Defense is a chess opening classified under ECO code B00. It is reached after the moves 1. e4 d6 2. d4 Nf6: 4 moves in, with White to play.
Learn its typical plans and pawn structures rather than memorizing moves — that’s what holds up over the board.
22 named variations branch from this position; the list at the end of the page goes one move deeper into each.
Play the Pirc Defense? See where you go wrong.
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Analyze my games free →Variations of the Pirc Defense
- Roscher Gambit1. e4 d6 2. d4 Nf6 3. Nf3
- 150 Attack1. e4 d6 2. d4 Nf6 3. Nc3 g6 4. Be3 c6 5. Qd2
- 150 Attack, Inner Doll Defense1. e4 d6 2. d4 Nf6 3. Nc3 g6 4. Be3 c6 5. Qd2 Bg4
- 150 Attack, Sveshnikov-Jansa Attack1. e4 d6 2. d4 Nf6 3. Nc3 g6 4. Be3 c6 5. h3
- Bayonet Attack1. e4 d6 2. d4 Nf6 3. Nc3 g6 4. Be2 Bg7 5. h4
- Byrne Variation1. e4 d6 2. d4 Nf6 3. Nc3 g6 4. Bg5
- Chinese Variation1. e4 d6 2. d4 Nf6 3. Nc3 g6 4. Be2 Bg7 5. g4
- Kholmov System1. e4 d6 2. d4 Nf6 3. Nc3 g6 4. Bc4
- Sveshnikov System1. e4 d6 2. d4 Nf6 3. Nc3 g6 4. g3
- Classical Variation1. e4 d6 2. d4 Nf6 3. Nc3 g6 4. Nf3
- Classical Variation, Quiet System1. e4 d6 2. d4 Nf6 3. Nc3 g6 4. Nf3 Bg7 5. Be2
- Classical Variation, Quiet System, Chigorin Line1. e4 d6 2. d4 Nf6 3. Nc3 g6 4. Nf3 Bg7 5. Be2 O-O 6. O-O Nc6
- Classical Variation, Quiet System, Czech Defense1. e4 d6 2. d4 Nf6 3. Nc3 g6 4. Nf3 Bg7 5. Be2 O-O 6. O-O c6
- Classical Variation, Quiet System, Parma Defense1. e4 d6 2. d4 Nf6 3. Nc3 g6 4. Nf3 Bg7 5. Be2 O-O 6. O-O Bg4
- Classical Variation, Schlechter Variation1. e4 d6 2. d4 Nf6 3. Nc3 g6 4. Nf3 Bg7 5. h3
- Austrian Attack1. e4 d6 2. d4 Nf6 3. Nc3 g6 4. f4
- Austrian Attack, Dragon Formation1. e4 d6 2. d4 Nf6 3. Nc3 g6 4. f4 Bg7 5. Nf3 c5
- Austrian Attack, Kurajica Variation1. e4 d6 2. d4 Nf6 3. Nc3 g6 4. f4 Bg7 5. Nf3 O-O 6. Be3
- Austrian Attack, Ljubojevic Variation1. e4 d6 2. d4 Nf6 3. Nc3 g6 4. f4 Bg7 5. Bc4
- Austrian Attack, Unzicker Attack1. e4 d6 2. d4 Nf6 3. Nc3 g6 4. f4 Bg7 5. Nf3 O-O 6. e5
- Austrian Attack, Unzicker Attack, Bronstein Variation1. e4 d6 2. d4 Nf6 3. Nc3 g6 4. f4 Bg7 5. Nf3 O-O 6. e5 Nfd7 7. h4
- Austrian Attack, Weiss Variation1. e4 d6 2. d4 Nf6 3. Nc3 g6 4. f4 Bg7 5. Nf3 O-O 6. Bd3