Pirc Defense: Austrian Attack
1.e4 d6 2.d4 Nf6 3.Nc3 g6 · B09
Part of Pirc Defense
Starting positionWhite to move
0 / 14
A broad centre faces the long diagonal
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The idea
White plays f4 and builds the biggest possible centre, going straight for a kingside attack against Black's fianchetto.
Main line: 1.e4 d6 2.d4 Nf6 3.Nc3 g6 4.f4 Bg7 5.Nf3 O-O 6.Bd3 Na6 7.O-O c5
What White wants
- Push e5 and attack the kingside with the f-pawn and the pieces
- Develop with Bd3, O-O and Qe1 or Qf3
- Smother the g7 bishop with pawns
What Black wants
- Hit the centre with ...c5 and ...e5 or ...Nc6 and ...Nb4
- Trade off White's attacking pieces, especially the bishop on d3
- Attack the overextended pawns on e4 and d4
Key idea
Understand this and the moves stop needing to be memorised.
A broad centre faces the long diagonal
White's e4, d4 and f4 pawns claim space, while Black prepares ...Bg7 and central counterplay. The bishop's diagonal reaches d4 only after the f6 knight moves. White can gain time with e5, but must calculate exchanges before committing the centre.
Common mistake
Pushing e5 without deciding how to meet ...dxe5. The advance is an established attacking option, not inherently a mistake; after fxe5 and ...Nd5 White needs development and control of the centre rather than more unsupported pawn moves.
Mistake example: Nd5.
Representative position
The position this opening is aiming at. Copy the FEN, or open it in the analysis board and let the engine tell you what it is worth.
r1bq1rk1/pp2ppbp/n2p1np1/2p5/3PPP2/2NB1N2/PPP3PP/R1BQ1RK1 w - - 0 8
Analyze this position