The Pirc Defense is the chess opening that starts 1.e4 d6 2.d4 Nf6 3.Nc3 g6. Black lets White occupy the center with pawns on e4 and d4, fianchettoes the bishop to g7, castles, and only then attacks that center with ...c5 or ...e5. The move 3...g6 is what makes it a Pirc: according to Wikipedia's Pirc Defence article, van der Sterren calls it the defining move. It is a counterattacking defense, and the price is space: White gets more of the board early, and Black must hit back at the right moment.
How to reach the Pirc Defense
The standard order is 1.e4 d6 2.d4 Nf6 3.Nc3 g6. Each move has a reason:
- 1...d6 2.d4 Nf6. Black attacks e4 with the knight at once, so White must spend a move defending it.
- 3.Nc3. The most natural defense of e4, and the move that leads to the main Pirc. (3.Nd2 and 3.f3 also defend the pawn but are less common.)
- 3...g6. Black prepares ...Bg7 and ...O-O. The bishop on g7 will aim straight down the long diagonal at d4 and, later, at the queenside.
The Pirc is also reached from the Modern Defense move order, where Black starts with the fianchetto and adds ...Nf6 later:
Start
This reaches exactly the same position as 1.e4 d6 2.d4 Nf6 3.Nc3 g6 4.f4 Bg7, the Austrian Attack. The difference is what Black allows on the way: the Modern keeps options such as ...c6 and ...b5 without ...Nf6, while the Pirc order commits the knight early but stops White from choosing set-ups where c2–c4 is played (with the knight on f6, White must defend e4 first).
Strengths and drawbacks
Strengths for Black
- Flexible: Black chooses between ...c5, ...e5 and a queenside expansion with ...c6 and ...b5 depending on White's set-up.
- The g7-bishop is one of the best pieces on the board once the center opens.
- White's big center can become a target; overextended pawns on e4, d4 and f4 are hard to keep defended.
- Less theory than the Sicilian or the Ruy Lopez in the sharpest lines, and the plans repeat across variations.
Drawbacks for Black
- Black concedes space. Stockfish 17.1 gives White about +0.6 after 3...g6, a little more than after 1...e5.
- White has several aggressive systems (Austrian, 150 Attack) that go straight for Black's king.
- Mistiming the counterattack means being slowly squeezed, which is not fun to defend.
Main variations
All evaluations below are Stockfish 17.1 at depth 22, from White's point of view.
Austrian Attack: 4.f4
Start
The most aggressive answer. White builds a three-pawn center and threatens e4–e5 to kick the f6-knight. Black finishes development first (4...Bg7, 5...O-O), and 6...Na6 heads for c7 or b4 while supporting ...c5 without blocking the c-pawn. After 7...c5 8.d5, White has closed the center; Black plays on the queenside with ...Rb8 and ...b5 (Stockfish's top reply is 8...c4 followed by ...b5), while White looks for e5 or f5 on the other wing. Engine: +0.72 after 8.d5.
The main alternative for Black is the immediate 5...c5. After 6.dxc5 Qa5 7.Bd3 Qxc5 Black has regained the pawn and has an open c-file against White's king if it goes long (+0.52). Suits Black players who want the sharpest fight.
150 Attack: 4.Be3 and Qd2
Start
White plans Bh6 to trade the g7-bishop, then castles long and pushes h4–h5 against Black's king. Black's best antidote is not to castle into it: 5...c6 and 6...b5 grab queenside space and prepare ...Nbd7, ...Bb7 or ...b4 to hit the c3-knight. Stockfish's first choice after 6.f3 is 6...b5 (+0.45 after 7.h4, the engine's main reply). Wikipedia notes the name refers to an English grading of 150, roughly club level, because the set-up is easy to learn. It suits White players who want a simple attacking plan.
Classical System: 4.Nf3 and Be2
Start
White keeps the e4–d4 center without committing f4, castles, and waits. Black's main ideas are ...c6 with ...Qc7 and ...e5, or ...Bg4 to trade off the f3-knight and weaken White's grip on d4. 7.a4 stops ...b5. This is the quietest main system: +0.36 after 6.O-O. It suits White players who want a safe, lasting edge.
Byrne Variation: 4.Bg5
Start
White develops the bishop to g5, pins nothing yet but prepares Qd2 and Bh6, often with long castling. Black's sharpest reply is to kick the bishop with ...h6 and ...g5, then jump to h5 to chase or trade it. The engine prefers 5...h6 (+0.52 after 5.Qd2); after 7...Nh5 it is +0.48. Black gives up some kingside solidity to win the bishop pair or gain time.
Modern Defense move order
Start
The Modern uses the same ...g6, ...Bg7 and ...d6 structure but delays ...Nf6 or skips it. That keeps ...c6 and ...b5 or ...Nd7 available and avoids an early e5 hitting a knight on f6. Stockfish: +0.59 after 3...d6, the same as the Pirc.
| Variation | Moves | Character |
|---|---|---|
| Austrian Attack | 4.f4 Bg7 5.Nf3 | Sharp; White threatens e5, Black hits back with ...c5 |
| 150 Attack | 4.Be3 Bg7 5.Qd2 | Opposite-side castling, Bh6 and h4–h5 |
| Classical System | 4.Nf3 Bg7 5.Be2 O-O 6.O-O | Quiet, positional, small lasting edge |
| Byrne Variation | 4.Bg5 Bg7 5.Qd2 | Bishop pressure; Black answers ...h6 and ...g5 |
| Modern order | 1.e4 g6 2.d4 Bg7 3.Nc3 d6 | Same structure, more flexible knight |
Plans for White
- Use the space. White's pawns on e4 and d4 (and f4 in the Austrian) restrict Black's knights. The thematic push is e4–e5, which kicks the f6-knight and cramps Black's position.
- Kill the g7-bishop. In the 150 Attack and Byrne, Qd2 plus Bh6 trades Black's best piece and leaves dark-square holes around Black's king.
- Pawn storm. With long castling, White plays h4–h5 to open the h-file. Speed matters more than material: an open file to h7 is often worth a pawn.
- Close the center when Black plays ...c5. d4–d5 gains space and makes the g7-bishop bite on granite, as in the Austrian main line.
- In the Classical, keep it simple. Castle, add a4 to stop ...b5, and keep pieces on good squares; Black has to find a break, and White's job is to make each one cost something.
Plans for Black
- Develop first, strike second. ...Bg7 and ...O-O come before any pawn break in the Austrian and Classical. The exception is the 150 Attack, where Black should keep the king in the center and expand on the queenside first.
- The ...c5 break. Best against the Austrian. It attacks d4 directly, opens the long diagonal for the g7-bishop, and after dxc5 Qa5 Black regains the pawn with active pieces.
- The ...e5 break. Best against the Classical, usually prepared by ...c6 and ...Qc7 or ...Nbd7. It fights for the dark squares and challenges White's central pawns.
- Queenside expansion. ...c6, ...b5, ...b4 hits the c3-knight and undermines e4. This is Black's main counterplay when White castles long.
- Knight routes. ...Na6–c7 (Austrian), ...Nbd7 (Classical, 150), and ...Nh5 to hit a bishop on g3 or e3. Avoid ...Nh5 when g2–g4 traps it (see the trap below).
Traps to know
The 5...Nh5? knight trap
The Austrian Attack's main threat is e5. If Black answers it with the wrong knight move, the knight is trapped on the edge.
Start
Why it works: the knight on h5 has no safe square. g7 is occupied by the bishop, f6 is covered by the e5 pawn, f4 is a pawn defended by the c1-bishop, and g3 is covered by the h2 pawn. Stockfish 17.1 at depth 22 scores the position after 6.g4 at +2.34; Black's best is 6...Nxf4 7.Bxf4, giving a knight for a pawn.
How to avoid it: after 5.e5, play 5...Nfd7 (Stockfish +0.13), the only move that keeps the balance. 5...dxe5 is second (+0.31). 5...Ng8 is already poor (+1.05). After 5...Nfd7 6.Nf3 c5 7.exd6 O-O Black's development and pressure on d4 make up for the pawn (+0.05).
How to play against the Pirc Defense
Take the center and use it. There is no single refutation: at depth 22, 4.f4, 4.Be3 and 4.Nf3 all score between +0.56 and +0.58. Pick the system that matches your style:
- Attacker: the Austrian Attack (4.f4). Aim for e5, and if Black plays ...c5, consider d5 to gain space.
- Club player who wants a simple plan: the 150 Attack (4.Be3, Qd2, f3, Bh6, O-O-O, h4).
- Positional player: the Classical System (4.Nf3, Be2, O-O, a4). It keeps a small edge with minimal risk.
Whatever you choose, watch the g7-bishop. Opening the long diagonal for it with careless pawn trades (for example, an early dxc5 without a follow-up) gives Black exactly the counterplay the Pirc is built for.
Engine verdict
We ran Stockfish 17.1 (lite, single thread) at a fixed depth of 22 on each position, MultiPV 3. Scores are in pawns from White's point of view.
| Position after | Evaluation |
|---|---|
| 1.e4 d6 | +0.55 |
| 3...g6 (Pirc starting position) | +0.58 |
| Austrian, 8.d5 | +0.72 |
| Austrian, 7...Qxc5 | +0.52 |
| 150 Attack, 5.Qd2 | +0.59 |
| Classical, 6.O-O | +0.36 |
| Byrne, 5.Qd2 | +0.52 |
| Austrian, 5.e5 Nh5? 6.g4 | +2.34 |
In plain terms: White keeps a normal opening edge of about half a pawn in every main line, slightly more than after 1...e5, which is the cost of handing over the center. None of White's systems refutes the Pirc, and the quiet Classical gives White the least. The one way Black loses quickly is a tactical slip such as 5...Nh5?.
History
The opening is named after the Slovenian grandmaster Vasja Pirc, who played and analyzed it. It is also called the Ufimtsev Defense, after the Soviet player Anatoly Ufimtsev. The "150 Attack" name comes from English club players: 150 was a typical club grade under the old English grading system, a sign that the set-up is simple enough for ordinary players to handle.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Pirc Defense good?
Yes. Stockfish 17.1 keeps White at about +0.6 in the main lines, a normal opening edge. It is sound, but it gives White more space than 1...e5 or the Caro-Kann, so Black must know the counterattacking plans.
Pirc vs Modern: what is the difference?
The Pirc develops the knight to f6 early (1...d6 2.d4 Nf6 3.Nc3 g6). The Modern starts with 1...g6 and delays ...Nf6 or leaves it out. The structures are similar, and the engine rates them the same (+0.58 and +0.59 at depth 22).
What is the best response to the Pirc Defense?
There is no single best move. The Austrian Attack (4.f4), the 150 Attack (4.Be3) and the Classical (4.Nf3) are all within 0.02 of each other at depth 22. Choose by style: f4 for attack, Be3 and Qd2 for a simple plan, Nf3 and Be2 for low risk.
Is the Pirc Defense good for beginners?
It is better suited to intermediate players. Beginners usually do better with openings that fight for the center at once, such as 1...e5 or the Caro-Kann, because the Pirc requires timing ...c5 or ...e5 against an aggressive opponent.
Is 1...d6 a good move against 1.e4?
Yes, as long as it is followed by ...Nf6 and ...g6 or ...e5. Stockfish scores 1...d6 at +0.55 at depth 22, well within normal opening range.
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This is the Austrian Attack after 4.f4, with Black to move. Drill the main lines with the trainer at the top of this page, play 4...Bg7 in the analysis board, then test yourself in a full game at play chess: if the computer plays 5.e5, answer 5...Nfd7. For a similar fianchetto structure against 1.d4, see the King's Indian Defense; for more solid answers to 1.e4, compare the Caro-Kann and the French Defense.