Learn
The big idea
What the Pirc Defence is really about.
A flexible, hypermodern defence. Black lets White build a big pawn centre, fianchettoes the dark-squared bishop on g7, and castles quickly behind it. Rather than meet the centre head-on, Black waits and then strikes back with ...e5 or ...c5, counterattacking the moment the position invites it.
- White's plan: Take the centre with e4 and d4, develop actively, and choose how hard to press — from a calm, classical build-up to an all-out kingside pawn storm — trying to use the extra central space before Black breaks free.
- Black's plan: Fianchetto the bishop to g7, castle, and stay compact, then hit the centre with a well-timed ...e5 or ...c5 to free the position and turn White's space into overextension.
Black has fianchettoed and castled, conceding the big centre. What's the plan now?
Answer the question to keep going!