Classical Variation, Schlechter Variation

The Schlechter Variation arises when White inserts 5. h3 into the Classical Variation of the Pirc Defense, after 4. Nf3 Bg7. The move costs a tempo but removes the g4-square from Black's minor pieces. The light-squared bishop can no longer pin the f3-knight and increase pressure on d4, and White can later place the dark-squared bishop on e3 without having to reckon with ...Ng4 harassing it. White keeps the bishop on f1 uncommitted, choosing its square only after seeing Black's setup. The cost is a slower development than the Quiet System with 5. Be2, which makes an early central reaction from Black more relevant.

Black usually ignores the prophylaxis and castles with 5...O-O, which accounts for the large majority of games. Less common are 5...c6, preparing queenside expansion, and 5...Nc6, which prepares ...e5 against d4. Engines also rate the central strike 5...d5 and the flexible 5...b6 among Black's better options. Engines give White a slight edge, and in online play the results are fairly close, with White scoring slightly better.