1.e4 — the open games
Pirc Defence, Classical Variation
1.e4 d6 2.d4 Nf6 3.Nc3 g6 4.Nf3 Bg7ECO B08
A hypermodern defence: Black lets White build a big centre, fianchettoes the king's bishop, and counterattacks the centre later with …e5 or …c5. The Classical (4.Nf3) is White's solid main line — flexible, and a favourite of players who want an unbalanced game without heavy theory.
Key ideas
- The g7-bishop and …d6/…Nf6 pressure e4/d4; Black strikes with …e5 or …c5 once developed.
- White enjoys space and can attack with a later Be2, O-O and a central or kingside push.
- It's a fighting, asymmetrical defence that avoids the mainstream 1…e5 and Sicilian roads.
Who it suits
Players who like hypermodern counterattack and unbalanced positions against 1.e4.
Add it to your repertoire.
Drill the Pirc Defence, Classical Variation move by move against the board until it's second nature.
Open the trainer