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Pirc Defense

Classical Variation, Quiet System, Parma Defense

B08positionalsolid

  1. 1.e4d6
  2. 2.d4Nf6
  3. 3.Nc3g6
  4. 4.Nf3Bg7
  5. 5.Be2O-O
  6. 6.O-OBg4
1,205 games48%46%

A Classical Pirc line in which Black pins the f3-knight with 6...Bg4, aiming to trade it and loosen White's hold on d4 in a slow, maneuvering game.

Train it in Theoria

About the Parma Defense

With 6...Bg4, Black develops the light-squared bishop actively and pins the f3-knight, intending ...Bxf3 to remove a defender of d4 and pave the way for ...Nc6 or ...e5. White's most frequent answer is 7. h3, putting the question to the bishop at once; 7. Be3 and the space-gaining 7. e5 are the main alternatives, the latter scoring best for White in practice. Results overall are close to level, while engines give White a slight edge.

Popular continuations