ECO B07 · Pirc Defense

Pirc Defense: Chinese Variation

1. e4 d6 2. d4 Nf6 3. Nc3 g6 4. Be2 Bg7 5. g4

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

5… d5+0.35

White is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Pirc Defense: Chinese Variation (B07), reached after 1. e4 d6 2. d4 Nf6 3. Nc3 g6 4. Be2 Bg7 5. g4, Stockfish 18 recommends 5… d5 for Black. White is slightly better (+0.35).

Top engine moves

  1. +0.355… d5 6. e5 Ne4 7. f4 c5 8. Nxe4 dxe4 9. dxc5 Qxd1+ 10. Bxd1
  2. +0.425… O-O 6. g5 Ne8 7. h4 c5 8. Be3 Nc6 9. Nf3 Qb6 10. Nd5
  3. +0.495… h6 6. f4 e5 7. dxe5 dxe5 8. Qxd8+ Kxd8 9. f5 Bd7 10. fxg6

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Pirc Defense: Chinese Variation?
After 1. e4 d6 2. d4 Nf6 3. Nc3 g6 4. Be2 Bg7 5. g4, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 5… d5 for Black, continuing 6. e5 Ne4 7. f4 c5 8. Nxe4 dxe4 9. dxc5 Qxd1+ 10. Bxd1. White is slightly better (+0.35). The next best moves are 5… O-O (+0.42) and 5… h6 (+0.49).
Is the Pirc Defense: Chinese Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.35: 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: Chinese 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+).