Chess Opening Theory/1. e4/1...d6

Pirc Defense
a b c d e f g h 8 8 7 7 6 6 5 5 4 4 3 3 2 2 1 1 a b c d e f g h
Position in Forsyth-Edwards Notation (FEN) rnbqkbnr/ppp1pppp/3p4/8/4P3/8/PPPP1PPP/RNBQKBNR w
Moves: 1.e4 d6
ECO code: B07-B09
Parent: King's Pawn Opening

Pirc Defense

1...d6

The Pirc Defense is a modern opening and a response to white’s 1.e4. Black gives up the center and refuses to fill it with pawns but instead builds up slowly with defensive moves such as d6 (played now) and g6 (played in the near future) to fianchetto the DSB. White also often plays f4 and eventually e5 to add more control to the center. The Pirc Defense is an uncommon opening nowadays, but is very solid.

If White dislikes this opening, White can play 2. Nf3 in order to transpose into the Sicilian Defense (2...c5) or into the Philidor Defense (2...e5).

If White agrees to play this defense, White has no reason not to build its pawn center with 2. d4.

Theory table

For explanation of theory tables, see theory table and for notation, see algebraic notation.

1. e4 d6

	2	3	4
Main line	d4 Nf6	Nc3 g6	Nf3 Bg7	=
Geller System	Nf3 Nf6	d3 g6	g3 Bg7	=
	d4 c6	=

References

• Nunn's Chess Openings. 1999. John Nunn (Editor), Graham Burgess, John Emms, Joe Gallagher. ISBN 1-8574-4221-0.

• Modern Chess Openings: MCO-14. 1999. Nick de Firmian, Walter Korn. ISBN 0-8129-3084-3.

• Kasparov, Garry, & Keene, Raymond 1989 Batsford chess openings 2. ISBN 0-8050-3409-9.