Chess: Pirc Defense (Austrian Attack)

1 e4 d6 2 d4 Nf6 3 Nc3 g6 4 f4 Bg7 5 Nf3 O-O:



Position after 5 ... O-O.

What's the Basic Strategy for Black?



* Prepare to challenge White's center
(... e7-e5) by 6 ... Nbd7, 6 ... Nc6,
or 6 ... Na6.
* Nonetheless, 6 ... Nbd7 runs into e4-e5,
when the knight has no enviable retreat
square.



* 6 ... Nc6 7 e4-e5 also brings problems since
the c7 pawn is hindered by its own knight.
In such positions, ... c7-c5 ... Nd7 is another
desirable way of getting at White's center.
An immediate ... c7-c5 leads to unfavorable
positions for Black: 6 ... c7-c5 7 dxc5 dxc5.



* 6 ... Na6 may be the way to go because it
leads to sharp and unclear play.