The Pirc Defense

GM Damian Lemos

Lemos Deep Dive #8

Put your opponents on the defensive with a classic counter-attacking weapon against 1.e4, the
Pirc Defense (1.e4 d6 2.d4 Nf6 3.Nc3 g6). With Super GMs like Grischuk, Ivanchuk, and
Kramnik adopting this opening, you’re in excellent company and can enjoy being a master of
one of the most exciting opening options available to Black.

In this comprehensive 9 hour Deep Dive course, GM Damian Lemos builds up your knowledge
of this powerful opening weapon, demonstrating how to combat each of the main White
variations in turn.

As well as a huge theory section covering all reasonable setups White might try against the
Pirc, GM Lemos shows how these ideas play out in practice through the analysis of instructive
games, making sure you’re ready with the most powerful reply!

This is a great way to frustrate your rivals who are used to playing their pet lines as they will
end up getting lost in the Pirc’s complexities. The Pirc Defense gives you excellent winning
chances as it’s a highly flexible, tricky, and double-edged opening with which Black can avoid
premature simplifications and confidently go for the full point.

Summary:

Introduction: About this course

Chapter 1: Minor Lines in the Pirc Defense

Part 1: 1.e4 d6 2.d4 Nf6 3.Bd3

Part 2: 1.e4 d6 2.d4 Nf6 3.f3

Chapter 2: The Fianchetto System (1.e4 d6 2.d4 Nf6 3.Nc3 g6 4.g3)

Chapter 3: The 4.Bg5 System (1.e4 d6 2.d4 Nf6 3.Nc3 g6 4.Bg5)

Chapter 4: The 4.Bf4 System (1.e4 d6 2.d4 Nf6 3.Nc3 g6 4.Bf4)

Chapter 5: The 4.Be3 System (1.e4 d6 2.d4 Nf6 3.Nc3 g6 4.Be3)

Part 1: (1.e4 d6 2.d4 Nf6 3.Nc3 g6 4.Be3 a6 5.Nf3 & 5.Qd2)

Part 2: (1.e4 d6 2.d4 Nf6 3.Nc3 g6 4.Be3 a6 5.a4 & 5.Be2)
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Chapter 6: The Positional System (1.e4 d6 2.d4 Nf6 3.Nc3 g6 4.Nf3)

Part 1: (1.e4 d6 2.d4 Nf6 3.Nc3 g6 4.Nf3 Bg7 5.Be2 0-0 6.0-0 a6 7.e5 & 7.a4 & 7.h3)
Part 2: (1.e4 d6 2.d4 Nf6 3.Nc3 g6 4.Nf3 Bg7 5.Be2 0-0 6.0-0 a6 7.Re1 & 7.Bf4)

Chapter 7: The English Attack (1.e4 d6 2.d4 Nf6 3.Nc3 g6 4.f3)

Part 1: (1.e4 d6 2.d4 Nf6 3.Nc3 g6 4.f3 a6 5.Be3 b5 6.g4 & 6.Nh3)
Part 2: (1.e4 d6 2.d4 Nf6 3.Nc3 g6 4.f3 a6 5.Be3 b5 6.Qd2)

Chapter 8: The Austrian Attack (1.e4 d6 2.d4 Nf6 3.Nc3 g6 4.f4)

Part 1: (1.e4 d6 2.d4 Nf6 3.Nc3 g6 4.f4 Bg7 5.e5)

Part 2: (1.e4 d6 2.d4 Nf6 3.Nc3 g6 4.f4 Bg7 5.Nf3 0-0 6.e5)
Part 3: (1.e4 d6 2.d4 Nf6 3.Nc3 g6 4.f4 Bg7 5.Nf3 0-0 6.Be3)
Part 4: (1.e4 d6 2.d4 Nf6 3.Nc3 g6 4.f4 Bg7 5.Nf3 0-0 6.Bd3 Nc6 – Introduction and 7.d5 &
7.Be3)
Part 5: (1.e4 d6 2.d4 Nf6 3.Nc3 g6 4.f4 Bg7 5.Nf3 0-0 6.Bd3 Nc6 7.e5)
Part 6: (1.e4 d6 2.d4 Nf6 3.Nc3 g6 4.f4 Bg7 5.Nf3 0-0 6.Bd3 Nc6 7.0-0)

Chapter 9: Model Games

Part 1: Karjakin – Ivanchuk

Part 2: Mastrovasilis – Ivanchuk
Part 3: Poutiainen – Torre
Part 4: Klinova – Gurevich
Part 5: Karjakin – Petrosian
Part 6: Matsuura – Leitao

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 Introduction to the Pirc Defense

The Pirc Defense is a chess opening for Black against 1.e4 which is named after the
Slovenian Grandmaster Vasja Pirc. It has the reputation to be flexible and double-edged,
and it occurs after the moves 1.e4 d6 2.d4 Nf6 3.Nc3 g6. You can see this position
below.

It’s important to note that the Pirc Defense can be reached via different move orders.
According to GM Lemos, it’s important to enter the Pirc Defense via a precise move
order. He suggests the move order 1.e4 d6 2.d4 Nf6. Black’s knight attacks White’s
pawn on e4 and forces White to react. After 3.Nc3 Black plays 3…g6 and reaches the
Pirc Defense. White can also play 3.f3 or 3.Bd3 to protect the pawn. GM Lemos covers
these rare sidelines at the beginning of his course.

Other move orders like 1.e4 g6 2.d4 d6 allow White to play other moves than 3.Nc3
(for example 3.c3 or 3.c4) as the pawn on e4 is not attacked.

The Pirc Defense is a hypermodern opening. This means that Black does not try to
control the center early on with his pawns, but spends some time fianchettoing his dark-
squared bishop and only then attacks the center. Generally speaking, Black’s plan is to
attack White's centre with either c7-c5 or e7-e5, and perhaps also advance his
queenside Pawns. To put it into a simple formula: Black first leaves the center to White

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and then tries to conquer it back due to his better development.

Many positions in the Pirc Defense promise Black more active play than in most other
openings. Black is able to enter unbalanced positions, which allows him to aim for more
than equality with the Black pieces. Black can avoid premature simplifications, keep
many pieces on the board and go for the full point. Therefore, the Pirc Defense is the
perfect weapon for players who seek a complex strategic fight with the Black pieces.

Moreover, the Pirc Defense is not as frequently played as the Sicilian Defense, the
French Defense or 1.e4 e5. Therefore, the repertoire recommended by GM Lemos will
frustrate White players used to trying their pet lines against Black’s major openings.

In many lines, it’s important to pay attention to exact move orders in the opening.
Therefore, don’t play on autopilot. Take note of little subtleties and move order tricks.

Psychologically speaking, the Pirc Defense gives White a false impression of safety,
increasing the risk of becoming careless or overoptimistic in the middlegame. White has
a natural space advantage in most lines and quickly takes over the center. However,
although Black’s position appears to be cramped during the opening, his strategic and
dynamic resources are greater than one might think at a brief glance. Many White
players don’t know how to use their space advantage. Often, White overextends his
center and Black is able turn the tables and destroy it.

Generally speaking, one of White's most common plans involves the central pawn push
e4–e5, leading to excellent attacking chances on a kingside-castled Black king. For
Black, pawn play is key in the Pirc Defense. Black needs to play the right pawn breaks at
the right moment. As mentioned, Black’s most common pawn moves to challenge the
center are …e5 and …c5 (similar to Black’s counterattacking ideas in the King’s Indian
Defense).

Apart from this general knowledge on the Pirc Defense, GM Damian Lemos suggests
to constantly follow the games of strong players in the openings you want to play. It is
a wise decision to regularly check the games of the world’s leading experts or your
favorite players in this opening. You can watch their approaches against different
opening setups and become familiar with the key concepts, latest trends or opening
novelties. It is also key to know the classics in the opening you play.

If you choose to play the Pirc Defense, GM Gawain Jones, GM Mihail Marin (who recently
also wrote an excellent book on the Pirc Defense for the publishing house Quality
Chess), GM Vladimir Kramnik, GM Alexander Grischuk and GM Vassily Ivanchuk are
some of the biggest opening experts to follow.

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 White has a wide choice of set-ups against the Pirc Defense. In the following chapters,
GM Damian Lemos investigates them all step-by-step.

Chapter 1: Minor Lines in the Pirc Defense (3.Bd3 and 3.f3)

1. Sidelines are sidelines for a reason. GM Damian Lemos explains that it does not make
sense to memorize tons of theory to refute rare and harmless sidelines. It will cost you
too much time and energy memorizing these variations. On memorizing theory, you
should focus on the important main lines which strong players go for. In these lines, you
need to know your stuff inside out.

Knowing the most important recurring strategic and tactical motifs helps you to cope
with the sidelines which often occur against weaker opponents.

2. After 1.e4 d6 2.d4 Nf6, White can play the move 3.Bd3 (see the diagram below) to
protect his pawn on e4. However, it has to be said that the bishop is not well-placed on
d3. White commits himself too early by moving this piece to d3. Very often against the
Pirc Defense, the bishop is better placed on e2.

3. GM Damian Lemos suggests to play 3…e5, occupying the center. Black can, of course,
play 3…g6. Then, however, he must be ready to play the King’s Indian Defense if White
goes for 4.c4.

After 3…e5, White has three options: 4.dxe5, 4.d5 and 4.c3

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4. If White plays 4.d5, the bishop on d3 is badly placed. Black can just develop his bishop
to e7 and challenge the center with …c6.
After 4.dxe5, Black can continue with 4…dxe5 5.Nf3 Bc5 6.0-0 (6.Nxe5?! Bxf2+!
7.Kxf2 Qd4+ and Black regains the piece and his pawn) 6…Qe7. In this position, Black
can even consider castling queenside and playing for a kingside attack with …h6 and
…g5 in the long run. Black has at least equality.
4.c3 can be met by the surprising 4…d5! 5.dxe5 Nxe4 and Black can develop all his
pieces easily.

5. After 1.e4 d6 2.d4 Nf6, White can also play the move 3.f3 (see the diagram below) to
protect his pawn on e4. This is a flexible move for White. Black has to be careful to not
end in the Saemisch Variation of the King’s Indian Defense if he does not play the
King’s Indian Defense against 1.d4. After 3…g6 4.c4 Bg7 5.Nc3 0-0, for example, the
game transposes to the King’s Indian Defense.

6. Therefore, GM Damian Lemos also suggests to play the move 3…e5 against 3.f3.

After 4.d5 (4.dxe5 dxe5 5.Qxd8 Kxd8 leads to an equal endgame. One of Black’s ideas
is to exchange White’s good dark-squared bishop with …Nd7 and …Bc5. Black’s king
can hide on c7 after the move …c6.) 4…Be7 5.Be3, Black can play the surprising move
5…Nh5 (see the diagram below).

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 The trade of dark-squared bishops is Black's main idea in this variation. White has
occupied more space, with his pawns on the light squares. His dark-squared bishop
becomes very important, as it controls dark squares. Therefore, Black plans to play
…Bg5, offering the exchange of bishops. Afterwards, White’s dark-squares are severely
weakened.

Chapter 2: The Fianchetto System (1.e4 d6 2.d4 Nf6 3.Nc3 g6 4.g3)

1. The Fianchetto System is a solid variation for White against the Pirc Defense. White
does not play for a quick attack, but develops his pieces to sensible squares. The
Fianchetto System arises after the moves 1.e4 d6 2.d4 Nf6 3.Nc3 g6 4.g3 Bg7
5.Bg2 0-0 6.Nge2 (see the diagram below).

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In this line, White is well-advised to place his kingside knight on e2 rather than on f3. On f3,
the knight would close the h1-a8 diagonal for the bishop and allow Black to opt for the nasty
pin with …Bg4.

2. Against the Fianchetto System, GM Damian Lemos suggests to play 6…Nbd7. With this
move, Black prepares to play 7…c5 on the next move. After 7.0-0 c5, Black’s setup
looks similar to the setup Black reaches in the Dragon Variation of the Sicilian Defense.

3. White is at a crossroad. He can either leave his pawn on d4 or play 8.d5.

After 8.d5, Black can play for a queenside expansion with 8…Rb8 9.a4 (preventing
Black from playing 9…b5) 9…b6! (Black prepares to expand on the queenside anyway
with …a6 and …b5. The direct 9…a6?! could be met by 10.a5!, however.)

If White leaves his pawn on d4, Black opts for a Sicilian Dragon setup. He usually plays
…cxd4, …Rb8 (removing the rook from the h1-a8 diagonal which is dominated by
White’s bishop on g2), …b6 and …Bb7. Black manages to bring all his pieces to good
squares in this variation.
Generally speaking, the Fianchetto System is not very challenging for Black.

Chapter 3: The 4.Bg5 System (1.e4 d6 2.d4 Nf6 3.Nc3 g6 4.Bg5)

1. The 4.Bg5 System is a dangerous system and Black has to be careful in the opening.
White’s plan is to play the moves Bg5, Qd2, Bh6, followed by a quick kingside attack

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 with h2-h4-h5.

2. After 1.e4 d6 2.d4 Nf6 3.Nc3 g6 4.Bg5 Bg7, White has two moves at his disposal –
5.e5!? and 5.Qd2.

3. The move 5.e5!? is an aggressive try for White to force matters in the center early on.
However, Black has done nothing wrong to be punished in this way.
GM Damian Lemos suggests to play 5…Nfd7, keeping the tension in the center and
attacking White’s e-pawn.

After 6.f4 0-0 7.Nf3 Nb6! (Black first develops his knights and then plays the pawn
break …f6.) 8.Be2 Nc6 9.0-0 f6 10.exf6 exf6 11.Bh4 d5 (see the diagram below),
Black achieves a favorable strategic position. White's early attack has resulted in
weaknesses along the e-file. There should be a way to maintain equality, but Black's
position looks more pleasant already.

4. After 5.Qd2, Black can play the move 5…h6 with the idea to get the bishop pair. After
6.Bh4 (6.Be3 Ng4! 7.Bf4 e5 8.dxe5 Nxe5 and Black has easy development.) 6…g5
7.Bg3 (7.h4?! is a move against which Black should be prepared. 7…dxe5 8.h5? exd4
9.Ne4 Nf6. Objectively speaking, Black has a winning position here. However, it’s
sensible to take a closer look at the analysis in the PGN-files in order to understand why
White’s kingside attack will soon run out of steam.) 7…Nh5 8.0-0-0 (see the diagram
below), and we reach one of the critical tabyias of the Pirc Defense.

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 White is ahead in development, but Black has the pair of bishops (Black can always
play …Nxg3, exchanging his knight for White’s dark-squared bishop). Black has more
than one move to play here (8…c6; 8…Nc6) and is quite flexible. One good plan for
Black is to play …Nc6, …e6, …Bd7, …Qf6 and …0-0-0.

Chapter 4: The 4.Bf4 System (1.e4 d6 2.d4 Nf6 3.Nc3 g6 4.Bf4)

1. It is important to understand that there are differences between the moves 4.Bg5,
4.Be3 and 4.Bf4. Although White's main idea is the same – he wants to play the moves
Bg5, Qd2, Bh6, followed by a quick kingside attack with h2-h4-h5 - Black has to react
differently against each of these moves. Against 4.Bg5, for example, Black later wins a
tempo with the move …h6. Against 4.Bf4, this idea does not work.

2. Generally speaking, one key concept to understand is that even if White manages to
play Bh6, h4-h5 and hxg6, Black can play …fxg6 and with a knight on f6, there are no
immediate threats. The h7-square is protected. Therefore, Black must not panic when
White plays overly aggressively and goes for a burning bridges attack on the kingside.

3. Against 4.Bf4, Black should play 4…c6 – a useful waiting move, controlling the center
and opening the d8-a5 diagonal for the queen to move to b6 or a5. Black does not
immediately bring his bishop to g7 in order to be able to later take White’s bishop on
h6 in one go. Black’s long-term plan is to play the move …e5 to challenge White’s
center.

4. After 5.Qd2 Nbd7 6.Nf3 (After 6.Bh6?! Bxh6 7.Qxh6 Qa5! [threatening …Nxe4] 8.0-0-
0 b5!, Black is already clearly better.) 6…Bg7 7.Bd3 0-0 8.Bh6 e5 9.Bxg7 Kxg7 (see
the diagram below), Black has a comfortable position. White’s strong dark-squared
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 bishop is already exchanged and Black can expand on the queenside with …b5 and
…a5.

Chapter 5: The 4.Be3 System (1.e4 d6 2.d4 Nf6 3.Nc3 g6 4.Be3)

1. Against 4.Bf4, GM Damian Lemos suggests to play 4...a6 – a move which was
popularized by Super-Grandmaster Vladimir Kramnik. Black’s idea is to expand on the
queenside with ...b5. Once Black’s pawn is on b5, White has to be careful that his pawn
on e4 is well-protected. Black often threatens to play ...b4, kicking away White’s knight
on c3 (the only defender of the pawn on e4) and grabbing White’s e-pawn.

2. Many club players respond to 4...a6 with 5.a4. The downside of this move, however, is
that White can now forget about castling queenside. With a pawn on a4, it’s easy for
Black to open up the queenside with a well-timed ...b5. Moreover, after 5.a4, Black
often has the chance to bring his queenside knight to b4. Remember: every pawn
advance creates some weaknesses behind it. The move 5.a4 weakens the b4-square.

3. One key line of the 4.Be3 System goes 1.e4 d6 2.d4 Nf6 3.Nc3 g6 4.Be3 a6 5.Qd2
b5 6.f3 (White needs to overprotect the pawn on e4.) Nbd7 7.0-0-0 Nb6 (see the
diagram below).

A key concept for Black in this line is to keep the dark-squared bishop on f8 (in order to
take on h6 in one go) and to bring the knight to b6 first. From b6, the knight often
threatens to move to the active outpost c4.

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Chapter 6: The Positional System (1.e4 d6 2.d4 Nf6 3.Nc3 g6 4.Nf3)

1. The key position of the Positional System arises after the moves 1.e4 d6 2.d4 Nf6
3.Nc3 g6 4.Nf3 Bg7 5.Be2 0-0 6.0-0 a6 (see the diagram below). In this variation,
White does not play aggressive variations with moves like f3 or f4, but a quiet,
positional game.

After 6...a6, White has various moves at his disposal – 7.a4, 7.h3, 7.Bf4, 7.e5 and
the main move 7.Re1.
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2. Against 7.a4, Black opts for a flexible setup with …b6, …Bb7, …e6 and…Nbd7 (or
…Nc6). Once White advances his center pawns with either e5 or d5, these pawns
become a target for Black’s pieces. If White keeps his central pawns on e4 and d4,
Black can consider playing ...e5 himself.

3. If White does not prevent Black from playing ...b5 with 7.a4, one of Black’s main ideas
against the Positional System is to go for the moves ...Nc6 and ...e5.

After 7.Re1 Nc6, for example, White is at a crossroad. He can either play a calm move
like 8.h3 and allow Black to play in the center with 8...e5 or he can play 8.d5 himself.
After 8.d5, Black plays 8...Na7 and prepares to expand on the queenside with ...b5
and to counterattack White’s center with ...Bb7 and either ...c6 or ...e6.

4. After 7.Bf4, Black can try to play against White’s light-squared bishop on by fixing
White’s pawns on the light-squares. After 7...Bg4 8.h3 Bxf3 9.Bxf3 Nc6, for example,
Black plans to play ...e5. With White’s central pawns on light-squares, White’s bishop
on f3 becomes a bad bishop.

5. If White plays the aggressive move 7.e5, Black is well-advised to keep the tension in
the center with 7...Nfd7.

Generally speaking, Black has to be careful to answer White’s central e4-e5 push with
...dxe5. After White recaptures on e5, the d-file opens. If Black exchanges queens on
d1, White simply recaptures with the rook. Afterwards, Black’s knight has to leave the
f6-square and White often has a quick Nd5 with decisive threats against e7 and c7.
The line after 1.e4 d6 2.d4 Nf6 3.Nc3 g6 4.Nf3 Bg7 5.Be2 0-0 6.0-0 a6 7.e5
dxe5?! 8.dxe5 Qxd1? 9.Rxd1 Ng4 10.Nd5! is a good illustration (see the diagram
below).

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 After 7.e5 Nfd7, Black can put more pressure on White’s center with ...Nc6. Once
White takes on d6, Black can recapture with the c-pawn and has a pleasant position.

Chapter 7: The English Attack (1.e4 d6 2.d4 Nf6 3.Nc3 g6 4.f3)

1. The English attack is one of the most aggressive lines White can play against the Pirc
Defense. White’s idea is to play Be3, Qd2, 0-0-0, followed by a kingside attack with h4
and g4.

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 2. Generally speaking, Black is not forced to castle kingside against the English Attack.
Sometimes Black leaves his king in the center as long as possible to not show his cards
too early and to not give White a clear target for his attack. In some positons, Black can
consider castling queenside.

3. Just like against the 4.Be3 System, Black plays the clever waiting move 4...a6 and
leaves his dark-squared bishop on f8 in order to be able to take on h6 in one move. If
White replies to 4...a6 with 5.a4?!, White won’t be able to castle queenside as the
pawn on a4 helps Black to quickly open the queenside.

4. Generally speaking, just like against the 4.Be3 System, Black’s plan is to play ...a6,
...b5, ...Nbd7, ...Nb6. Afterwards, Black has ideas to play ...Bb7 and ...Nc4. Black’s king
stays in the center for the time being. Black’s keeps the option to play ...e6, ...Qe7 and
...0-0-0.

5. With the move 4.f3, White prepares a kingside expansion with g4. If White plays the
move g4, you need to be sure to always have the d7-square vacated to react to g4-g5
with ...Nfd7.

Chapter 8: The Austrian Attack (1.e4 d6 2.d4 Nf6 3.Nc3 g6 4.f4)

1. The Austrian Attack (or Three Pawns Attack) is the most challenging system for Black.
With 4.f4, White increase his central control and prepares to play e4-e5 at an
appropriate moment.

Here, general understanding of plans is not enough. You need to be well-prepared with
Black. As the Austrian Attack is quite sharp, it is recommendaed to carefully check this
line in the PGN-file and carefully watch the videos by GM Damian Lemos.

2. By playing the Austrian Attack, White builds up a strong pawn center and creates the
positional threat of e4-e5. If White achieves this, Black will be left with a cramped
position and White has excellent chances for a direct attack against the king. It is also
important to mention that after White’s move 4.f4, Black’s thematic break in the center
with ...e7-e5 is more difficult to achieve than in other systems. Therefore, Black usually
resorts to ...c7-c5.

3. After 4...Bg7, 5.e5 is an aggressive line for White. Black should keep tension in the
center with 5...Nfd7 and immediately challenge it with 6.Nf3 c5! Before Black castles,
he needs to counterattack with the threat of taking on d4 and e5. It's not easy for White
to keep his strong center. If White releases the tension in the center and plays 7.exd6,

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 Black can even consider playing a gambit with 7...0-0 instead of recapturing on d6.
White’s center is gone, his king is still on e1 and Black has a lead in development.

4. After 4...Bg7 5.Nf3 0-0, Black needs to react differently to the move 6.e5. In this
specific position, Black takes on e5 (6…dxe5). Now, White has a choice between
7.fxe5 and 7.dxe5. After 7.dxe5 Qxd1+ 8.Kxd1, Black does not remove his knight
from f6 (and allows White to play Nd5) but plays the intermediate move 8…Rd8+
9.Ke1 Ne8. Now, White’s knight can’t come to d5 and Black is fine.
After 7.fxe5 Nd5, White can go for the sharp 8.h4 (8.Bc4 Nxc3! 9.bxc3 c5! 10.0-0 Bg4
11.h3 Bxf3 12.Qxf3 Nc6 and Black continues in the style of the Grunfeld Defense by
putting a lot of pressure on White’s d4-pawn.) 8…Bg4 9.h5 c5! At the cost of his
center falling apart, White goes all in for a kingside attack. Objectively speaking, Black
has no problems against this line. However, in view of the extremely sharp nature of
the position, it is highly recommended to carefully check this line in the video.

5. Against 1.e4 d6 2.d4 Nf6 3.Nc3 g6 4.f4 Bg7 5.Nf3 0-0 6.Be3, GM Damian Lemos
suggests to play the move 6...b6. Black’s idea is to bring his bishop to b7 (putting
pressure on the e4-pawn) and quickly challenge White’s center with ...c5 and ...e5.
Moreover, White’s bishop on e3 allows Black to play the move ...Ng4 with the win of a
tempo in some variation. Of course, White can’t give up his strong dark-squared bishop.
In the Pirc Defense, Black’s dark-squared bishop is a particularly important piece. If
Black is left with an unopposed dark-squared bishop in openings like the King’s Indian
Defense the Dragon or the Pirc Defense, it almost always means that something has
gone wrong for White.

6. The main line of the Austrian Attack goes 1.e4 d6 2.d4 Nf6 3.Nc3 g6 4.f4 Bg7 5.Nf3
0-0 6.Bd3 (see the diagram below).

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 Here, GM Damian Lemos recommends the move 6...Nc6 for Black. The key idea of this
move is to quickly play ...e5. After 7.Be3 Ng4 8.Bg1 e5, for example, Black would
have managed to put his plan into practice.

7. After 6…Nc6, White has two main moves at his disposal – 7.e5 and 7.0-0. After 7.e5
dxe5 8.fxe5 (White almost always recaptures with the f-pawn, opening the c1-h6
diagonal for his dark-squared bishop and the f-file for his rook) 8…Nh5, Black puts
pressure on White’s d4-pawn. Generally speaking, Black always has to aim for ways to
destroy White’s center in the Pirc Defense.

After 9.Be3 (White has to protect the pawn on d4) 9…Bg4 10.Be2 f6 11.exf6, you
should be aware of Super-Grandmaster Matlakov’s novelty 11…Nxf6! (see the diagram
below - 11…exf6 is the old main line and also playable) from a recent game in 2018.
GM Damian Lemos explains all the details in the video.

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After 7.0-0, White’s most natural move, Black should play 7…e5. After 8.fxe5 dxe5 9.d5
Ne7 (see the diagram below - 9…Nd4!? Is also playable. GM Damian Lemos analyses this
move in the model game between Karjakin and Petrosian.), where it seems like Black loses his
e-pawn.

However, the move 9…Ne7 sets a trap. If White plays 10.Nxe5?!, Black has the strong
and unexpected move 10…c6! It’s important to remember this move as Black in order
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 to be able to play this variation. There are a lot of complicated tactical lines which can
arise after 10…c6! At best, White can get an equal position with precise play. There
are many ways to go astray with White in this line.

Chapter 9: Model Games

1. In order to properly learn a new opening, it is not enough to take a close look at
theoretical lines. You also need to study some classical model games which were
played in the opening you want to learn.

2. Checking complete games has various advantages. First of all, you get a better overall
understanding of the positions arising from your opening. The focus is less on theory
than on general understanding of the resulting middlegame and endgame positions. As
the famous Grandmaster Yasser Seirawan once put it: “Study entire games. Your study
can become disjointed if you just learn an opening set-up. Don’t just study the opening
and early middlegame but instead play the entire game. Don’t just stop when your side
has a good position.”

3. Secondly, investigating complete games allows us to get familiar with many additional
opening ideas. In the game Karjakin - Ivanchuk, for example, Black plays the interesting
move 6...Na6 (see the diagram below) against the Austrian Attack (1.e4 d6 2.d4 Nf6
3.Nc3 g6 4.f4 Bg7 5.Nf3 0-0 6.Bd3 Na6!?). The idea is to play …c5 and gain space
on the queenside. This variation is an additional option for Black.

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4. That said, the Pirc Defense is flexible enough to allow you to vary a little from one
game to the next, thus avoiding your opponents’ specific preparation.

5. It’s important to keep in mind that instead of playing different openings with Black
against 1.e4, you can also vary within your opening system. This allows you to become
an opening expert in the one opening you play and at the same time, it’s still tough for
your opponents to prepare against you as they don’t know which line you’ll play in the
next game. You can see the lines which GM Damian Lemos presents as a starting point
to play the Pirc Defense and step-by-step add more and more variations to your
repertoire.

6. In the model games section, GM Lemos presents certain alternatives to his repertoire
suggestions. In the game Karjakin – Petrosian, we see Petrosian playing 9…Nd4
(instead of 9…Ne7) against the Austrian Attack, for example. In the game Matusura –
Leitao, Black plays 4…c6 (instead of …a6) against the 4.Be3 System.

7. Also check games that strong players in your opening lost (like Ivanchuk against
Karjakin) to learn from their mistakes and see how the world’s best White players play
against your opening.

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