Hey everyone! This is my 2nd article on hypermodern openings. Today, we'll study a variation of the pirc where white plays 4. Bc4. It may seem like a menacing move because if not well defended against, white can play e5 then e6, and completely cramp up black's position. Fortunately, if black knows what he is doing, then 4. Bc4 will end up as an empty threat, and a mistake in the long run for white. White can achieve a considerable positional advantage. But first, let's take a look at how an unexperienced pirc player may fall into the 4. Bc4 trap.

Now that we've observed what could happen to black, let's examine what white should play against the main lines.

What happens if white tries to support e5 instead of pushing the pawn to e6?

What if white isn't too agressive and doesn't play e5 and just continues to develop like normal?

 I hope that I've given everyone some help on how to play against 4. Bc4? and can now recognize it as an empty threat and a slight mistake by white (because white can play a lot of better lines against the pirc!). Don't ever fall into the e5 e6 trap again! Please comment! Suggestions and feedback are very welcomed! Be sure to check out my other article "Pirc Enter the Dragon" :)

lol I wouldn't call Bc4 a mistake, just that it's unnecessary if black doesn't allow white to make use of it but it's not like it runs into ...d5 since black played ...d6. I think tal played it a couple of times. But I prefer the austrian attack with 4 f4.

I used to play the Pirc when I started playing chess. Extremely dangerous,and at the amateur level much easier to play on the white side so I gave it up. Nice line, although I never ran into this before. Usually the Austrian or 150 attack, which is my fave. I may have to revisit this sometimes...

I play this opening on many games and its a very hard opening to start with. There are many openings and positions thats can arise from this like as this forum is about is the 4. Bc4. I had trouble with this and still do but when you get this opeing down you can do some serious damage. 4. Bc4 isn't the best move for white, but still effective against noobs, I would rather play 150 attack for white. If anybody has a comment or some knowlegde on this line please post cause I play this most of the time and it either goes 50/50 between wining and losing and need some suggestions. 1. e4 d6 2. d4 Nf6 3. Nc3 g6 4. Nf3 Bg4?? 5. Be2 BxN 6. BxB Nc6. If any suggestions please tell me.

Ok, I felt that it was kind of a mistake because it's definitely not the best line that white can play against the pirc, and black can achieve a fairly good position against this line.

Oh no, that's not what I mean. This is just one of the main lines, and white definitely could play something different. But when people play 4. Bc4, they often are looking to play the most popular e5 e6 continuation. I can't possibly cover all the lines available after 4. Bc4 because they would be endless. You're right, it's not a mistake if white doesn't choose to play that continuation, but it is a slight mistake if white still plays e5 e6 in that position.

Here's a good answer--

lol thanks for clarifying ^_^