ECO B07 · Pirc Defense

Pirc Defense: Kholmov System

1. e4 d6 2. d4 Nf6 3. Nc3 g6 4. Bc4

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

4… Bg7+0.33

White is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Pirc Defense: Kholmov System (B07), reached after 1. e4 d6 2. d4 Nf6 3. Nc3 g6 4. Bc4, Stockfish 18 recommends 4… Bg7 for Black. White is slightly better (+0.33).

Top engine moves

  1. +0.334… Bg7 5. Nf3 O-O 6. O-O Nxe4 7. Nxe4 d5 8. Bd3 dxe4 9. Bxe4
  2. +0.504… c6 5. Nf3 Bg7 6. O-O d5 7. Bd3 Nxe4 8. Nxe4 dxe4 9. Bxe4
  3. +0.514… Nc6 5. Nf3 Bg7 6. d5 Nb8 7. h3 O-O 8. O-O c6 9. a4

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Pirc Defense: Kholmov System?
After 1. e4 d6 2. d4 Nf6 3. Nc3 g6 4. Bc4, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 4… Bg7 for Black, continuing 5. Nf3 O-O 6. O-O Nxe4 7. Nxe4 d5 8. Bd3 dxe4 9. Bxe4. White is slightly better (+0.33). The next best moves are 4… c6 (+0.50) and 4… Nc6 (+0.51).
Is the Pirc Defense: Kholmov System a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.33: 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: Kholmov System?
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+).