Why the Pirc Defense is a top 5 opening for black:

The Pirc Defense starts with 1. e4, d6. And is a sharp and tricky opening for black...

A very common move too see is 2. d4, in which you play Nf6. This lets you have some control over the center while not yet fully committing. This also backs up the reason behind d6, which is that whit cannot play e5 to kick the knight because white will lose a pawn, even with a pawn on d4, things get ugly for white (I will show this line in the next post.)

If white plays e5 (very rare too see)

Now white will most likely play 3. Nc3 (as shown in miniature). Nc3 simply defends the pawn on e4 which was under attack by the knight on f6. After seeing 3. Nc6, you will play g6, which to the naked eye, seems like a stupid move. Fortunately, your eye isn't naked and has clothes on, so you know that you are preparing Bg7 on the very next move. Now, After g6 you may see some arrows, those are the three moves you should be thinking about, the most common are the blue arrow and the green arrow. (blue being Nf3, and green being Be3.) But it doesn't matter, you play Bg7 either way. Now, you might be thinking, "what if the bishops follows the red arrow to g5???" well then you play, Bg7 still. Unless a real threat is made on you, play Bg7...

Nice lesson!

Now of course you opponent may not play Nf3, this is simply an example. There are many moves in that position, but as I already said, you just play Bg7 anyway. Now obviously they might not play Bd3, and they may play Qd2 in which I usually go to fianchetto the light squared bishop, or in some cases, I still play that move Bg4. (I highly recommend reading the comment I made on Bg4 in the miniature to clarify things.) Now after playing Bg4, the knight is either pinned or is being threatened to be traded. 

I find the Pirc is an interesting try for Black in must-win situations. I like this line against it, it gets very sharp

indeed, accept most bring the bishop to h6 before castles long and some even wait to castle short. Bh6 is a top move for white on move 6 and for good reason, blacks would love c6 or even better c5 before or after Nbd7, black usually wants this c pawn push early and Bh6 slows the start of the strong queen side attack the Pirc can bring. Though some top players prefer a complex knight manauever where the f pawn gets pushed and a strong king side attack happens.

Yeah I only 0-0-0 vs 5...0-0. Vs 5...c6 I play with 6.a4 and develop my kingside pieces first before deciding where to castle

the thing is that most queensid/ kingside attacks need commitment, but in the Pirc, it is so easy to switch to defense and have a defensive position, and it is possible to apply pressure on both sides, though it is complex.

White has a space advantage and controls the center, so there is some leeway to stay flexible early on . That's why the Pirc is somewhat risky, giving white the full center... yet it is a fighting choice, nothing wrong with it. Curious to see which other lines you showcase here

I play a Pirc/Philidor opening, could you give me some advice about how to gives it all his potential ? For example, I'm not very good with the fianchetto on the kingside, which I find dangerous... so I usually play d6 Nf6 e6 Be7 0-0 Re8 Nd7 Nf8 as it defends well kingside.

the fianchetto is really dangerous and there isn't much to do about it. that is why c5/c6 is so important you MUST attack first that way white doesn't get any advantage when attacking our kingside. I am currently busy, but I could help out later, I will just re quote your post and respond to it. Sorry for the delay.

here is a game I played a while back sanglier, I castled a little later I went over my thought process. This may have been my best game ever too btw. tell me if you need any clarification or explanation. I am kinda a pirc expert lol.

Thanks, I know all this stuff, I might as well share it right? Trying to make it "dummy proof" or as simple as possible.

ANNOUNCEMENT!!!!!

if you are wondering why I have suddenly slowed down responses, miniatures, explanations, etc. it is because I am busy with work school and much more, I apologize if any responses are delayed!!!