Pirc Defense: Classical Variation
1. e4 d6 2. d4 Nf6 3. Nc3 g6 4. Nf3
4… Bg7+0.55
White is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.
Analyze this positionIn the Pirc Defense: Classical Variation (B08), reached after 1. e4 d6 2. d4 Nf6 3. Nc3 g6 4. Nf3, Stockfish 18 recommends 4… Bg7 for Black. White is slightly better (+0.55).
Top engine moves
- +0.554… Bg7 5. Be3 O-O 6. Qd2 c6 7. Bh6 Bg4 8. O-O-O b5 9. Bxg7
- +0.574… c6 5. Be2 Bg7 6. a4 O-O 7. O-O Qc7 8. Be3 e5 9. a5
- +0.634… a6 5. e5 dxe5 6. dxe5 Qxd1+ 7. Kxd1 Ng4 8. Ke1 Nc6 9. Nd5
Other move orders
- 1. e4 d6 2. d4 Nf6 3. Nc3 g6 4. Nf3 Bg7
Variations
Frequently asked questions
What is the best move in the Pirc Defense: Classical Variation?
After 1. e4 d6 2. d4 Nf6 3. Nc3 g6 4. Nf3, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 4… Bg7 for Black, continuing 5. Be3 O-O 6. Qd2 c6 7. Bh6 Bg4 8. O-O-O b5 9. Bxg7. White is slightly better (+0.55). The next best moves are 4… c6 (+0.57) and 4… a6 (+0.63).
Is the Pirc Defense: Classical Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.55: 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: Classical Variation?
B08. 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+).