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Pirc

Last updated on Wed, 10/29/2008 at 11:42am.

The Pirc Defence, sometimes known as the Ufimtsev Defence or Yugoslav Defence, is a chess opening characterised by Black responding to 1. e4 with 1. ...d6 and 2. ...Nf6, followed by ...g6 and ...Bg7, while allowing White to establish an impressive-looking centre with pawns on d4 and e4.

It is named after the Slovenian Grandmaster Vasja Pirc(pronounced "peerts").

Comments:

by Lee333 - 3 years ago
West Virginia United States
Member Since: Oct 2008
Member Points: 41

Would you like to share more with us about the Pirc?

by Pirc-defence - 3 years ago
Rotterdam Netherlands
Member Since: Aug 2008
Member Points: 63

Yes, no problem. I could look up some interesting variations...if that's what you're looking for?

by Kenulphus - 2 years ago
Oud Beijerland Netherlands
Member Since: Sep 2008
Member Points: 11

This is my fave opening with black. Quite solid and complicated.Wink

by Pirc-defence - 2 years ago
Rotterdam Netherlands
Member Since: Aug 2008
Member Points: 63

Yeah, I used to play it a lot. But I switched to other opening lines, because of the (relatively) passive character of the Pirc.

Also see: http://www.chess.com/article/view/anti-pirc

Good luck with your games!

by UltimateChessMaxim - 23 months ago
hamlin United States
Member Since: Feb 2010
Member Points: 3

The Austrian Attack,is the most aggressive continuation.It was Fischer's favorite choice,as well as mine.

After 1.e4 d6 2.d4 nf6 3.nc3 g6 4.f4 is the Austrian Attack.White has a strong grip in the center in preparation for a later abvance.The thrust to e5 will start the attack.

by themax2000 - 16 months ago
Waukegan, IL United States
Member Since: Dec 2009
Member Points: 144

I play this often and love when people use the austrian attack.  Unless they're really good (which I have lost some games against this, but not too many), it seems like white's attack has the potential to leave pieces, especially pawns, hanging.  I have come out of white's attack not only alive, but up a point or two many times.  I love the pirc because I am a pretty defensive player and love counterplay instead of coming up with a beautiful attack on my own.  Playing c5 at the right time seems to be key to this defense as well.

by LionHeart319 - 15 months ago
Doha Qatar
Member Since: Sep 2010
Member Points: 42

I'd like to know more about the Pirc Defense. Would appreciate every tip that you could share about it.

Thanks in advance!

by Mikhail_Tallentless - 14 months ago
Derby United Kingdom
Member Since: Nov 2010
Member Points: 60

If you're not careful, you can get quickly over-run. But it's as effective against d4 as against e4 if you are careful. The first few moves are almost automatic, giving you an advantage on time. Castle the King and fianchetto the bishop, then start pushing the pawns on the queenside. It has a wonderful psychological effect when White realises your defence is pretty sound and he's over extended himself. There comes a point, if you are accurate, when you can start a gradual counter-attack. White will have to withdraw a knight, and then the momentum is with you. I would recommend this opening to any counter-puncher, particularly those who don't have a great opening repertoire. It's sound, and it spoils White's plan to play his favourite Sicilian or Queen's Gambit etc. I've played it at my club three times recently and won twice and drawn once.

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