Hi, I've been having problems with a line of the classical pirc, and am looking for advice on either a continuation, or changing my 6th move (Nbd7).  I have no problems if my opponent plays Bg5, or Be3 (as is often the case) but h3 is a surprisingly effective waiting move that gives me no good options, save going out of my element.

After 7. c4?!, I have problem with a line in the diagram (I played it as its standard in many other pirc lines)

I've tried playing 7. c3 but my opponent plays 7. Bg5 (I have no problem with other moves) I end up transposing to the classical pirc line with c4, but my opponent annoyingly gains a tempo (used on h3).  Can anybody see better options?  (It would have to utilize c3 or weaknesses of h3 by the way, its established that c4 is the best response to Bg5).

I've also tried 7. Nb6, but I'm just clueless about how to continue, and the move usually ends up wasted.  I have no idea how to take advantage of the move.

I've tried 7. e5 to reasonable success, a trade of pawns I do well with.  Be3 has been tried by others as well, playing at pinning my knight but I've been able to turn it into a long time liability rather then an asset.  After an e5 advance however, while its not perticularly harmful to me, Its just completely out of my element.

So can somebody suggest some possible continuations, or other seventh moves?  Alternatively could you suggest prehaps changing my sixth move completely and showing me another continuation?

It would be nice if to play some corrospondance with me, to explore your suggestions, but if you invite me please say so on this board.  Also I will only accept if I'm black, its unrated, and of course I think your idea could be valid.

If you say something like "Gee play the sicilian instead it roxor" I will e-smack you.

Hello MikedaSnipe,

 

Here are a couple of thoughts that may help.  First, I'm not sure how 'classical' your 6th move is actually.  I've probably encountered it at some time or another, but there are many other more 'classical' moves that are commonly made at Black's 6th turn.  Three of the them that I encounter quite often are Nc6, Bg4 and c6.  Although I tend to play a different variation with the Pirc as Black than the one you show, I have played your line several times.  I personally prefer 6..., c6, but you may want to play around with the other two to see if one matches your style.  Here is a fairly typical continuation that you might encounter if choosing c6 as your 6th move:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Play around with that a bit and see if it suits you.  As for a continuation after 6..., Nbd2  7. h3 the following might work.  My friend (a good player in his own right) was visiting, so I had him set up a board with him as Black and me as White.  We played out a few moves, discussing the position as we went and this is what resulted:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hope that gives you some ideas.  Send me a message if I can be of any more help,

 

Art (Sarthe)

Fair ideas Sarthe, I'm quite aware 6. Nbd7 is not the norm, but the classical variation is established by white with 4. Nf3 blocking in whites f pawn, thus my title.

Thank you for showing me an opening more in my element by the way, thats quite helpful... I'm getting quite convinced my line is dubious as time goes on.  Don't want to spend too much time on an opening, but if I'm shooting myself in the foot...

Yeah, after looking into it even more deeply, 6. Nbd7 can be completely refuted by 6. e4.  My knight simply has nowhere to go, unlike if c6 way played earlier.  I'm definitely going to have to change my first move.

While I don't play the Pirc, I do frequently play the Hippo Defense which features a double fianchetto and Knights on e7 and d7.  Any time you have a knight on either one of those squares, you should always be on the lookout for a chance to break the position open by landing a Knight on either c5 or f5.  The prospect of having an enemy knight so well placed is daunting and white will usually attempt to trade it off ASAP which, in addition to opening up the game, also serves to reduce the central pressure that is common with hypermodern theory.

I know this might not directly apply to the Pirc opening you're using but I figured it wouldn't hurt to throw it out there since it's a frequent theme in games where my knights are on the 7th rank.

-Gonnosuke 

I would play 6....Bg4,c6, or c5, I think c6 might be best.