Although this is well known it was new to me when I found it in the recent "The Pirc in Black and White" by James Vigus...it is quite amazing the way the line can resolve as a draw from a seemingly lost position.
Quote
1.e4 d6 2.d4 Nf6 3.Nc3 g6 4.f4 Bg7 5.Nf3 c5 6.Bb5+ Bd7 7.e5 Ng4
8.e6 fxe6
The whole variation with 5...c5 was bought out of the doldrums in 1988 when the American GM Yasser Seirawan proved that this move is playable for black. His discovery was that the apparent refutation 9.Ng5 Bxb5 10. Nxe6 is actually not so clear due to the brilliant 10...Bxd4!, when 11Nxd8 Bf2+ is a draw by perpetual check. Of course this does mean that if you play 8...fxe6 you have to be ready to accept a quick draw, but most people don't play the Austrian attack with that intention.
(Insert: Here is the line with the repetitive move draw:
B09 - Pirc/Austrian Attack
1.e4 d6 2.d4 Nf6 3.Nc3 g6 4.f4 Bg7 5.Nf3 c5 6.Bb5+ Bd7 7.e5 Ng4 8.e6 fxe6 9.Ng5 Bxb5 10.Nxe6 Bxd4 11.Nxd8 Bf2+ 12.Kd2 Be3+ 13.Ke1 Bf2+ end of insert)
Still against a weaker player or just to avoid all the complex theory of 8...fxe6, the older move Bxb5 is still feasible. After 9...exf7 Black is forced to play Kd7, although a few strong players have tried the bizarre Kf8 in recent years, when the king obstructs his own pieces and is vulnerabel to a knight incursion on e6
Back to the main game:
9.Ng5 Bxb5 10.Nxb5 Qa5+ 11.c3 Qxb5 12.Qxg4 cxd4.
End Quote
Originally posted by MahoutI'm going to use this on Monday with the kids. Great example, thanks mate.
Although this is well known it was new to me when I found it in the recent "The Pirc in Black and White" by James Vigus...it is quite amazing the way the line can resolve as a draw from a seemingly lost position.
Quote
1.e4 d6 2.d4 Nf6 3.Nc3 g6 4.f4 Bg7 5.Nf3 c5 6.Bb5+ Bd7 7.e5 Ng4
8.e6 fxe6
The whole variation with 5...c5 was bought out of the do ...[text shortened]... e6
Back to the main game:
9.Ng5 Bxb5 10.Nxb5 Qa5+ 11.c3 Qxb5 12.Qxg4 cxd4.
End Quote
Renegade
Originally posted by renegade hotspurAs a somewhat on topic note, Vigus' book "The Pirc in Black and White" is quite an incredible work. Maybe the biggest everyman opening work to date (Andrew Greet's work on the Ruy Lopez is also quite huge), it's very complete, and is a great survey for the Pirc.
I'm going to use this on Monday with the kids. Great example, thanks mate.
Renegade
Originally posted by MahoutAh, right. I think that draw option was the reason that I'd ruled this variation out. Does the Pirc in Black and White cover both fxe6 and the variation that I gave, or just fxe6?
Although this is well known it was new to me when I found it in the recent "The Pirc in Black and White" by James Vigus...it is quite amazing the way the line can resolve as a draw from a seemingly lost position.
Quote
1.e4 d6 2.d4 Nf6 3.Nc3 g6 4.f4 Bg7 5.Nf3 c5 6.Bb5+ Bd7 7.e5 Ng4
8.e6 fxe6
The whole variation with 5...c5 was bought out of the do ...[text shortened]... e6
Back to the main game:
9.Ng5 Bxb5 10.Nxb5 Qa5+ 11.c3 Qxb5 12.Qxg4 cxd4.
End Quote
The author does make a good point about white probably not wanting to draw, but nonetheless, I could see that move cropping up with white thinking he's got an advantage. I prefer to have the option to win, but IDK...
He covers both. 8...fxe6 is a great option when playing higher rated players, especially because they are more likely to punish you for playing 8...Bxb5. I don't think playing 8...Bxb5 is ruled out, and it might be a great way to play OTB against someone of equal or lower strength, but I think 8...fxe6 is a better, and it's maybe a testament to it's strength that black has a "forced" draw so early.
Its a really important line to know if you are going to play the Pirc.
Game 4125326
It has saved my butt several times, both here and OTB.
Originally posted by MahoutI especially like how Yasser Seirawan's opponent spent about 45 minutes before taking the queen...I think the game was voted game of the year for the informant if i remember correctly...
Although this is well known it was new to me when I found it in the recent "The Pirc in Black and White" by James Vigus...it is quite amazing the way the line can resolve as a draw from a seemingly lost position.
Quote
1.e4 d6 2.d4 Nf6 3.Nc3 g6 4.f4 Bg7 5.Nf3 c5 6.Bb5+ Bd7 7.e5 Ng4
8.e6 fxe6
The whole variation with 5...c5 was bought out of the do ...[text shortened]... e6
Back to the main game:
9.Ng5 Bxb5 10.Nxb5 Qa5+ 11.c3 Qxb5 12.Qxg4 cxd4.
End Quote