The Pirc Defense

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Chessman22

   Hello, all. I have a question: how would you break the famous Pirc defense? I'm looking forward to all the answers this post is going to get.


billwall
You have to define what variation of the Pirc.  It can be 1.e4 d6 or 1.e4 g6 and lots of variations after that.  To break the Pirc, don't play 1.e4 and turn it into an Indian.  Normal for White is 1.e4, d4, Nc3, Nf3 or f4.
Darrin
My advice is to play me- I play the Pirc a lot, I'm not so great, so you might beat me.
TheOldReb
The austrian attack is reputed to be the strongest against the pirc, but when I try to play pirc as black I have trouble in all lines. Frown
stevendamico

I play the pirc all the time. I agree it gives the white the aggression, but I find it fun. When black wins, it usually via aggressive counterattack when white finally takes a move to open itself too much... (usually by pushing e5 too early or making mistakes on the queenside)

 Because the Austrian is so famous agaisnt the PIRC, I've studied it much as black and find it much easier to handle than some of the other variations... the variation I have the most trouble with is Bg5 followed by Qd2...lines up to take the bishop...

Qxe8
I used to play the pirc for about a year, but was getting nowhere with it. The 150 Attack (O-O-O Be3 and Qd2 setup with a classic center) and the Austrian Attack both crushed me countless times. In my opinion black just gets too cramped. I would say the above lines are the best ways to defeat the Pirc.
ckellygolf

the best pirc system for black early activity i believe to be the czech pirc

must study to understand....1e4 d6 2d4 nf6 3 d4 c6 then most 4...qa5 puts a lot of pressure on whites e4 , then some other lines pressure b2, some traps, i have FOXY chess openings with IM andrew martins take on this opening have beaten many club players 400 pts higher than me...

Qxe8
Ckelly, I would like more info on that line. I have seen c6 before but have never taken it seriously.  I would love to change my mind about the Pirc, so if you have any links with the opening PM me.
rancho

The most common opening sequence is 1.e4 d6 2.d4 Nf6 3.Nc3 g6. A distinction is usually drawn between the Pirc and lines where Black delays the development of his knight to f6 — this is known as the modern or robatsch defense.

the austrian attack is:- 1.e4 d6 2.d4 Nf6 3.Nc3 g6 4.f4 Bg7 5.Nf3,

the classical 2 knights system is :-The Classical (Two Knights) System begins 1.e4 d6 2.d4 Nf6 3.Nc3 g6 4.Nf3 Bg7 5.Be2 0-0 6.0-0. White contents himself with the 'classical' pawn centre with pawns at e4 and d4, forgoing the committal move f2-f4 as Black castles and builds a compact structure

aansel

I play the Pirc pretty much exclusively as Black. The hardest lines to face believe it or not involve an early a3 (and sometimes h3) Lalic wrote an interesting book on these lines. The Austrian is interesting and tough to play as one mistake can lose the game for Black but I believe if properly played he has  good game--also if White makes a small mistake Black get a  nice games. The quiet systems are the hardest to fact. Also as mentioned Be3 and Qd2 right away are tricky. As White I have tried a Bg5 and f4 set-up and done well with that.

bigmac30

the lion defence is good im not sure if it counts as pirc or philadors defence