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B09bPlay as Black2 lines to train

Learn the Pirc Austrian Attack

A forceful anti-Pirc setup that uses f4 to support a broad center and kingside attack. Black aims to strike at the center with e5 or c5 before White’s attack becomes stable.

Practice this openingUnderstand the moves
Main line

1. e4 d6 2. d4 Nf6 3. Nc3 g6 4. f4 Bg7

1.e41…d62.d42…Nf63.Nc33…g64.f44…Bg7

The idea

Why this opening works

The Pirc Austrian Attack gives Black a clear route to strike at the center with e5 or c5 before White’s attack becomes stable. Its recurring positions revolve around the f4 lever, central overextension, and counterplay timing, so the repertoire rewards understanding the structure as much as remembering the move order.

What to remember

  • Know the first 8 half-moves of the main line.
  • Understand the purpose of your key moves before adding more theory.
  • Practice the branches until you can respond without move-order guessing.

Move by move

The moves worth understanding

Theory sticks when every move has a job. Start with these ideas from the trainer.

Scroll down through 6 positions

  1. Position 1 of 6

    1...d6

    d7 → d6

    d6 begins the Pirc Austrian Attack plan: strike at the center with e5 or c5 before White’s attack becomes stable.

  2. Position 2 of 6

    2...Nf6

    g8 → f6

    Nf6 develops or reroutes the knight toward the central squares that drive this opening.

  3. Position 3 of 6

    3...g6

    g7 → g6

    g6 gains kingside space and prepares the pawn lever that gives this setup its attacking potential.

  4. Position 4 of 6

    4...Bg7

    f8 → g7

    Bg7 activates the bishop on a diagonal that supports the opening’s central and kingside ideas.

  5. Position 5 of 6

    3...e5

    e7 → e5

    e5 reinforces the center and prepares the next piece-development or pawn-break decision.

  6. Position 6 of 6

    4...dxe5

    d6 → e5

    dxe5 clarifies the tension while improving piece activity or pawn structure for the next phase.

Trainer variations

Lines you’ll meet

These are representative branches from the drill, not a demand to memorize everything at once.

Line 11. e4 d6 2. d4 Nf6 3. Nc3 g6 4. f4 Bg7
Line 21. e4 d6 2. d4 Nf6 3. Nc3 e5 4. dxe5 dxe5

Quick answers

Pirc Austrian Attack questions

What is the Pirc Austrian Attack?

A forceful anti-Pirc setup that uses f4 to support a broad center and kingside attack. Black aims to strike at the center with e5 or c5 before White’s attack becomes stable. The Pirc Austrian Attack gives Black a clear route to strike at the center with e5 or c5 before White’s attack becomes stable. Its recurring positions revolve around the f4 lever, central overextension, and counterplay timing, so the repertoire rewards understanding the structure as much as remembering the move order.

What is the main line of the Pirc Austrian Attack?

This trainer starts with 1. e4 d6 2. d4 Nf6 3. Nc3 g6 4. f4 Bg7. The exact move order can change by variation, so learn the purpose of each move as well as the sequence.

Is the Pirc Austrian Attack good to learn as Black?

It can be a useful part of a Black repertoire if its positions match how you like to play. Learn the main plan first, then use the drill to test the recurring replies.

Study next

B20bSicilian DefenseFight for the initiative as Black with 1...c5 — asymmetric and combative.1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Be2 e5C00bFrench DefenseA resilient and strategic defense to 1.e4 with 1...e6.1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Bb4 4. e5 c5 5. a3 Bxc3+B10bCaro-Kann DefenseA rock-solid defense to 1.e4 with 1...c6 — reliable structure and easy development.1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 dxe4 4. Nxe4 Bf5 5. Ng3 Bg6 6. h4 h6 7. Nf3 Nd7

Turn the guide into recall

Now play the Pirc Austrian Attack from memory.

The drill gives you an opponent reply, checks your response, and repeats the branches that need more work.

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