Hmm... some advice please? OTB, I seem to face a lot of people who play the pirc against everything. I know this has to be weak, but I don't know how to beat it. Usually after e4 d6 d4 nf6 nc3 g6, I get into a complete snarl trying to defend my center pawns, and end up actually losing pieces because of tactical problems brought on by desparately trying to shore up my collapsing center.
(I actually quit a local chess club last night in a fury about one player's smug and nasty attitude after beating me with the pirc several times.)
Any advice from the wise peanut gallery? I'm thinking about foregoing 2. d4 altogether, perhaps taking f4 instead.
Originally posted by paultopiatry a setup with d4, e4, f4, Nf3...and attack the castled position (perhaps with h4, h5, castling long and attacking on the h file with rooks) . I think this is the Austrian Attack and is a feared weapon against the pirc
Hmm... some advice please? OTB, I seem to face a lot of people who play the pirc against everything. I know this has to be weak, but I don't know how to beat it. Usually after e4 d6 d4 nf6 nc3 g6, I get into a complete snarl trying to defend my center pawns, and end up actually losing pieces because of tactical problems brought on by desparately trying ...[text shortened]... se peanut gallery? I'm thinking about foregoing 2. d4 altogether, perhaps taking f4 instead.
Many times I bump into the Pirc aswell, because it is solid and black can play at against almost any opening imaginable. I play d4 as white, and I too, bump into it. What I find good against the Pirc, and others find this unsual, is to eventually play c4, d4, and e4, when it is safe to do so. The pawn structure seems awkward and weak, but with the move d5, sooner or later that you must play, the center is virtually locked and stonewalled, and black has limited space and no chance of brewing any counterplay. A lot of ppl call this the "Spanish Benomi Structure".
Unfortunenately, for you Paul, you may not be a huge fan of this setup, while white maintains a positional advantage and huge spacial advantage the entire game, and has a double edge chance to win in the endgame, it's nothing more then that, it's not an attacking game. Personally I think reacting to the Pirc agressively is trouble, it's a subtle opening, and maybe that's were you get into trouble.
Have you tried castling queenside and pawn storming them? While I think that idea against the Pirc is unsound, it may shock them and suit you better, be sure to lock up the center before you castle queenside however.
NAH! Play 4. Bg5...the move most feared by Pirc Players...there is a bit of theory, but I have cracked some serious skulls with it....you can follow up with all the common Qd2 crap, or play f4, which is what I play....Black has a hard time getting in ..e5 with all those pieces aimed at the square, and e5/exd can be awesome because of the pin on the e-pawn to the queen!
Originally posted by !~TONY~!Yes, 4.Bg5 is very good white setup against Pirc indeed. Be3, f3, Qd2, 0-0-0 is played often as well (similar to play against some Sicilian lines). There is nothing unsound with this line.
NAH! Play 4. Bg5...the move most feared by Pirc Players...there is a bit of theory, but I have cracked some serious skulls with it....you can follow up with all the common Qd2 crap, or play f4, which is what I play....Black has a hard time getting in ..e5 with all those pieces aimed at the square, and e5/exd can be awesome because of the pin on the e-pawn to the queen!
And one exotic setup, especially for Paul - Chinese attack: 1.e4 d6 2. d4 Nf6 3. Nc3 g6 4. Be2 Bg7 5. g4. Black is fine here (the best reply is 5...d5 ), but as a surprise weapon, it is powerful. I had very good score with this system.
But be aware: Pirc is a great defense, you'll never "beat" it!😀