Pirc versus Alehin

Hi guys,

I need some advice. I want to start playing a new opening against 1 e4, as I think I have reached some decent peak with my actual one(French defence) and I need a second option(to make opponent's opening preparation more difficult). As I think 1...e5 gives white too many options and that they are always prepared with something specific against sicilian so I would like some opening that doesn't have so much theory involved and that is playable...

What do you think about Pirc or Alehin ? Are they ok ? which one would you advice me to play ?

I've played both of these openings when I was a beginner and thought that winning is solely based on openings, so I think my advice is sound.

Both Pirc and Alekhine are complicated and sound defences, however if you want to avoid too much theory you should stick with the Alekhine's defence. It will also prove instructional in more ways than one. Playing a hypermodern defence is never easy.

If you play the french why not take a look at the caro kahn as well?

I'd advise against the carro-cann... I'd say, go sicillian instead of pirc, follow this: 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 and try the najdorf or dragon. Since you play the french you might also be comfortable with a 2...e6 sicillian. you have to remember that complex isn't a bad thing... it is just as much a good thing too!
EDIT: well, looking at your rating, maybe the pirc would be better at your level as your opponents would be well prepared for a sicillian.

The Pirc, it's solid and can be really fun, even when you have to be defensive. Kramnik used to play a version of it, and Kasparov hates it..mainly because whenever he tried the opening he would get smashed...sucker...anyway...just try both and whatever you like better keep

Originally posted by vipiu
Hi guys,

I need some advice. I want to start playing a new opening against 1 e4, as I think I have reached some decent peak with my actual one(French defence) and I need a second option(to make opponent's opening preparation more difficult). As I think 1...e5 gives white too many options and that they are always prepared with something specific against sici ...[text shortened]... What do you think about Pirc or Alehin ? Are they ok ? which one would you advice me to play ?

Pirc would be my recommendation...you can look up MotownDave on this site and go through some of his games..he is rated 2172 and almost always plays the pirc...

Another option is to go ahead and play e5, but opt for the Petrov which keeps you away from Ruy Lopez, Guico Piano, etc, although it can transpose into the 4 knights game if white is a weenie.

Originally posted by Kunsoo
Another option is to go ahead and play e5, but opt for the Petrov which keeps you away from Ruy Lopez, Guico Piano, etc, although it can transpose into the 4 knights game if white is a weenie.

yeah, this is a great alternative if you don't play against weenies 😛

would you recommend the pirc for a beginner like myself trying on a "I always play x against e4" defense for the first time? I'm playing it...but it seems like timing your counter play exactly is super crucial since you let white have his way in the center to start. Wondering if hypermodern is not appro for someone who never "mastered" a classical defense first...

Originally posted by HeyDreza
would you recommend the pirc for a beginner like myself trying on a "I always play x against e4" defense for the first time? I'm playing it...but it seems like timing your counter play exactly is super crucial since you let white have his way in the center to start. Wondering if hypermodern is not appro for someone who never "mastered" a classical defense first...

Exactly right. Try something more basic, maybe 1...e5 or 1...d5 against 1.e4, an opening like the Pirc (which I use on occassion) is very, very difficult if you don't know when to make specific pawn breaks.

Originally posted by vipiu
Hi guys,

I need some advice. I want to start playing a new opening against 1 e4, as I think I have reached some decent peak with my actual one(French defence) and I need a second option(to make opponent's opening preparation more difficult). As I think 1...e5 gives white too many options and that they are always prepared with something specific against sici ...[text shortened]... What do you think about Pirc or Alehin ? Are they ok ? which one would you advice me to play ?

1800 - Pirc seems good to me. But now that you're at that level I really feel like you need to consider playing something more mainstream - particularly 1...c5 or 1...e5. Sure, your opponents will be better prepared, but you'll also have better statistical chances. You're good enough now though that you can probably experiment with a lot of things and see what you think, consider the Dragon, Najdorf, Sveshnikov, Ruy Lopez, etc. and see if they don't fit what you're looking for.

the huge advantage of the pirc is chances are your opponent has very little experience against it.

but, it is kinda complicated. i recommend the caro-kann, but if you study a lot the sicilian will work even against experienced opponents.

or, the scandinavian is always good if you play it well

Originally posted by yofidawg
the huge advantage of the pirc is chances are your opponent has very little experience against it.

but, it is kinda complicated. i recommend the caro-kann, but if you study a lot the sicilian will work even against experienced opponents.

or, the scandinavian is always good if you play it well

I'm not a big Caro-Kann fan, white seems to have ample ways to attack it, although it's hard to break down for a win - very drawish. The Scandinavian with 3...Qd6 seems very interesting.

Originally posted by vipiu
Hi guys,

I need some advice. I want to start playing a new opening against 1 e4, as I think I have reached some decent peak with my actual one(French defence) and I need a second option(to make opponent's opening preparation more difficult). As I think 1...e5 gives white too many options and that they are always prepared with something specific against sici ...[text shortened]... What do you think about Pirc or Alehin ? Are they ok ? which one would you advice me to play ?

I've recently started experimenting with the Petrov defense (e4 ..e5, Nf3 ..Nf6) but i haven't found a suitable response to the KG. I've been trying out e4 ..e5, f4 ..Nf6 with the idea of playing Bc5 and developing this way. It has been played at master level but it doesn't score too well... Worth a little research though. I find the positions resulting from the standard petrov are really fun, black gets to throw some punches from the opening. 🙂

As a 1.e4 player 1...e6 is the one I least like to face.
That's one tough nut to crack...