ECO B07 · Pirc Defense

Pirc Defense: Byrne Variation

1. e4 d6 2. d4 Nf6 3. Nc3 g6 4. Bg5

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Black to move. The arrow shows Stockfish’s best move.
Best move

4… Bg7+0.53

White is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Pirc Defense: Byrne Variation (B07), reached after 1. e4 d6 2. d4 Nf6 3. Nc3 g6 4. Bg5, Stockfish 18 recommends 4… Bg7 for Black. White is slightly better (+0.53).

Top engine moves

  1. +0.534… Bg7 5. Qd2 h6 6. Bh4 g5 7. Bg3 Nh5 8. O-O-O Nd7 9. e5
  2. +0.554… c6 5. Qd2 Bg7 6. Bh6 Bxh6 7. Qxh6 Qa5 8. Bd3 c5 9. d5
  3. +0.644… h6 5. Be3 Ng4 6. Bc1 e5 7. f3 exd4 8. Qxd4 Nf6 9. Be3

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Pirc Defense: Byrne Variation?
After 1. e4 d6 2. d4 Nf6 3. Nc3 g6 4. Bg5, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 4… Bg7 for Black, continuing 5. Qd2 h6 6. Bh4 g5 7. Bg3 Nh5 8. O-O-O Nd7 9. e5. White is slightly better (+0.53). The next best moves are 4… c6 (+0.55) and 4… h6 (+0.64).
Is the Pirc Defense: Byrne Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.53: white is slightly better. Evaluations this early in the game are small, so practical results depend far more on knowing the plans and typical structures than on the engine's number.
What is the ECO code of the Pirc Defense: Byrne Variation?
B07. ECO codes classify chess openings from A00 to E99; B is the volume for semi-open games (other than the French).

Opening names from the Lichess opening book (CC0). Pieces by Colin M.L. Burnett (GPLv2+).