Pirc Defense | Ideas, Principles and Common Variations

The Pirc Defense is a very versatile hyper-modern opening and it provides great fighting chances for black.

The opening was named after the Slovenian Grandmaster Vasja Pirc, who popularized it in the second half of the 20th century. It has been played before, but it was never really taken seriously. As all modern openings, it neglects the classical chess principles. In fact, it goes directly against them.

Th idea behind the Pirc Defense is for black to fianchetto his kingside bishop and castle quickly and to strike at white’s center later on with the moves c5 or e5. Meanwhile, white is given a free hand and is able to form a strong center with pawns on e4 and d4 (often on f4 as well).

It’s similar to other modern openings, such as the King’s Indian or the Benoni, and it has similar ideas, so those types of openings may complement the Pirc well in your repertoire. Playing the Pirc against e4 and the KID against d4 would be most logical.

There are sic common variations of the Pirc, and every one results in a different type of middlegame. Every variation will be covered in detail in a separate video.

After the opening moves:

1. e4 d6 2. d4 Nf6 3. Nc3 g6, white gets too choose a system. The Pirc can be a slow, maneuvering opening, but it can also be tactical and sharp. On move 4, white shows his cards and steers the game.

4. f4 Austrian Attack is the most aggressive setup white can choose. Bringing the third pawn to the center, white prepares a strong central and kingside attack. This variation almost always leads to attacking games with no time to waste for either side. The Austrian Attack is also the most popular way for white to play with thousands of grandmaster games.

4. Nf3 Classical Variation is the most solid approach for white. White doesn’t allow black to have any initiative and hopes to hold a minute opening advantage straight into the endgame. If white plays properly this is true in practice as well. Black, on the other hand, has to be quick to develop and to open up the center and he can’t waste any time. If he does, his pieces will be cramped, he will lack space and be worse.

4. Be3 150 Attack is a very aggressive attacking setup for white, similar to the Yugoslav attack in the Sicilian. White goes for castling queenside, f3, Qd2, g4, g5, h4 and storms the black king in his sleep on g8.

4. Bg5 Byrne Variation is a seldom used system which can be venomous if black isn’t prepared for it.

4. g3 Sveshnikov System is an interesting idea in which white fianchettoes on the kingside too. Games tend to be positional and often easier to play for white due to his space advantage.

4. Bc4 Kholmov System develops the bishop to the most natural square from where it eyes the f7 weakness. It’s a rather new idea and it can be very sharp. White isn’t as solid as in the classical where the bishop goes to e2.

#chess #pircdefense #chessopenings

[HangingPawns]

Chessbook allows you to import and practice your repertoire. It focuses on moves people actually play as well as your mistakes. Connect it to your lichess or chess com accounts to correct the biggest gaps in your repertoire!

[justinysghost]

Came for how to play the pirc, but ended up learning how to counter the pirc. Great video nonetheless!

[Crn]

this is hands down the best openings channel that exists

[michaelvanzyl]

It is called the 150 attack after English players. They have a separate rating system to Fide and it was popularized by players with a rating around 150. That’s as much as I know🤷🏼‍♂️

[cydeffect]

I’ve been looking for a straightforward educational chess channel forever thanks

[duatexistence]

I've been watching your videos for some time now, and i have got to say, your dedication, discipline and workrate is just inspiring to a Chess novice as myself. Amazing! Best Chess videos on YouTube! I was wondering if you have any plans for a Kings Indian series in the near future? Its my favourite response to d4. Best of luck to you!

[polilling]

I think '150 attack' is called like that because in England they said it was so easy to carry on that even a 150 level player could use it successfully. I think they use ECF rating (English Chess Federation). Another version I found is because all white pieces except from pawns sum up 150 points... ¿?

[wolfemotivation]

Another amazing and instructional video! I love how you compare other openings structures to the one you're talking about! It helps so much with my broad understanding of Chess! I can't thank you enough! I admire your consistency in making these awesome videos and training hard!! I know you'll make GM! Keep being awesome! I'm learning so much! Knowledge is truly the most valuable thing in this world, so thank you so much for sharing!!!

[ankurj]

Excellent! Would like to see more videos on hypermodern openings.

[flinson]

Came here for learning the pirc but Learnt how to play against the pirc. Got the White's perspective. Thank you

[disciple]

Why can't chess-tubers ever show you an opening without showing you 10000 other things that can be played

[artherladett]

aye, Mr. Hanging Pawn, you are the real MVP. Thank you for sharing your seemingly encyclopedic knowledge

[jackschultee]

Timestamps:
0:00 Intro
0:54 Main Ideas
2:54 e5 Variation
4:16 Initial Setup
6:59 150 Attack
7:34 Byrne Variation
8:09 Sveshnikov System (Awesome Name)
8:47 Kholmov System
10:29 Austrian Attack
12:18 Classical Variation
15:36 Modern Defense (Slightly Different Opening)
16:16 Outro

[ianrhys]

You are one of the best chess tutors on YouTube. I've learned a lot from your videos. Thank You Stephan! Keep up the excellent work.

[sagarbhasagi]

#Woww....Sir, You are Really Great Teacher!!!

Great job! Lot of knowledge but put it in simple way.

[JohnBrazel]

This defense is a complete mystery to me. Thank you for this buddy!

[Rspknlikeabssxd]

I am a modern defense player but I was recommended by a FM to consider the pirc because it leads to similar positions, but with less theoretical knowledge required. I'm impressed by this video and will enjoy your other pirc vids, and will continue to watch your modern ones too :)

[GoldenBoyXCM]

7:11 wikipedia: They called this the 150 Attack, because players of this strength (150 ECF) can easily play this position and get strong play without any theory.

[scruffysean]

Thank you, Stjepan, your content is amazing. Insightful video. And thank you for properly pronouncing "Pirc" and "fianchetto."