Chess Openings: Learn to Play the Pirc Defense - Crushing the Austrian Attack!

[@kajuanweaver1607]

I’m loving the attacking options!

[@TheChessGiant]

Yo KaJuan! Yessir the Pirc is where it's at.

[@ajoshi1170]

Perfect timing! I just finished a Lichess study on the Austrian Attack, but looks like I'll have to go back and add a few lines

[@TheChessGiant]

Ayy that's what's up! Happy you enjoyed the vid - more one the way.

[@nikhilr4525]

Terrific stuff. Looks like you've put an enormous amount of effort into making a complete repertoire of this opening. Please also cover the early Bg5 lines (I think it's called the Averbakh variation in the KID and Modern)

[@TheChessGiant]

Thanks for the kind words Nikhil and I'm glad you're enjoying it! Yes we plan on covering Bg5 which is the "Byrne Variation" against the Pirc. Our next video is how to respond against Be3 with the 150 Attack but we will get that Byrne Variation video out soon!

[@teacherlee3527]

Could you do that scary Bishop B5 line putting us in check too?

[@Ronin760]

Wow. Again, lots to unpack here. I used to get ran over in the Austrian Attack (which is why I gave up on the Pirc in the first place), but after this video, I am left wondering why. So much counter play that I never realized. Beautifully explained lines that I will have to study and practice, but I have a great resource with this video. Brilliant! Thanks again!

[@Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol]

In my austrian attack, I play this weird setup with be3 and qe2, castle queensite and putting my pieces on the 3rd rank. Then I place my rooks on h1 and g1 and try to just open up black king and lines for my rooks. Computer says it's equal or even -1 in some cases, but I kid you not, it's extremely hard to defend and I'm getting tons of cool attacking games with beautiful positions right from the opening (this week I've had a game with 5 pawns on the 4'th rank and checkmate in the middle of the board. Lost king of the hill sadge).

[@fili24]

as an Austrian player myself, I would never castle short and e5 is quite rare only played if black castles before a move like c5.

[@TheChessGiant]

Thanks for adding this! What is your general strategy for your king placement?

[@fili24]

@@TheChessGiant I usually castle long but go short mainly in my favorite opening the king's gambit where I get to use the open file. Or don't castle at all in the Bishop's gambit

[@Martin_Taylor_UK]

Great explanation of this line. I now feel significantly more confident about meeting it in the Pirc. Thanks

[@brandvi45]

The Austrian attack was my old response to the pirc (I play the Chinese variation and bayonet attack now). These videos are good for both black and white. With white you learn what moves to avoid by watching this so I’d still recommend watching even if you prefer others e5 responses with black

[@TheChessGiant]

What's up Brandan! I'm glad you still enjoyed it even though you usually go against the Pirc instead of playing it. I always try to include the best lines from the other side as well - of course after showing a bunch of (common) mistakes that the Pirc Defense player can take advantage of. I will try and include more lines from the white perspective!

[@Edouard7800]

Really interesting serie, i just fell in love this opening some weeks ago, this helps me in the deep main lines

[@TheChessGiant]

Glad you're enjoying it! And nice! Ya the Pirc is a great opening and one of the hardest to go against - looking forward to making more videos on this.

[@jesuslovesyoujohn314-21]

Amazingly detailed guide, a lot to absorb but I do feel like I've learned a lot, thank you!

[@Mike-VR]

Excellent presentation! Thanks

[@TheChessGiant]

You got it Michael! Glad it was helpful. Always feel free to throw any chess opening recommendations or chess related questions my way. Here to help!

[@Mike-VR]

@@TheChessGiant Are you planning any more on the Pirc? Maybe I missed it but did you cover the Byrne?

[@andrewucla]

This is an incredible video. Just subscribed.

[@TheChessGiant]

Thank you Andrew! Appreciate the support brotha.

[@jonshive5482]

Holy smoke! Never seen such a profusion of attacking options. Incredible. Hard to believe you're not a Master, let alone IM. Just goes to show how deep, versatile and challenging chess is. Cheers!

[@TheChessGiant]

Thank you brotha! Appreciate the kind words man. And ya, chess is hard!!!

[@skyeruddell3196]

Thanks for another great video!

[@TheChessGiant]

Of course! Glad you enjoyed it! If you ever get any more Pirc Defense video ideas send them my way!

[@ham204jan]

I have played the Pirc since the '80s and won many great games with it. I only abandoned it as my main defence to 1.e4 because of the Austrian Attack where one mistake by Black spells doom! I moved on to the Czech Pirc and this is how I found your channel. It is really a great channel with evidently a lot of work going into it and I'm not surprised that your were 2100+ at some time. I like very much the ...Nc6 variation in the Austrian and am looking forward to meet my next victim!! Keep it up and may the Pirc reign supreme!

[@TheChessGiant]

Hey! Thanks a ton my guy. That's awesome you play Pirc setups, great positoins to work with!! Keep it up. Thanks, Solomon

[@TheMichiganFishHunter]

Hey cool video. Play this all the time. Thanks

[@TheChessGiant]

You got it Brett! Wishing you a good week!

[@dev77799]

Underrated Channel. Thanks. Loving the Pirc

[@TheChessGiant]

Thank you my guy! And respect for choosing the Pirc. Great system.

[@lukaspinnello]

Great explanation, every possible move! Love it

[@TheChessGiant]

Thank you! And glad you liked the video! The Pirc Defense is a great option. It can feel a little scary when you see the Austrian Attack coming towards you, but if you know what you're doing... you'll be more than fine.

[@kingbihag2683]

thanks for great video!

[@TheChessGiant]

You got it king!

[@teacherlee3527]

Brilliant! Loads of attacking options. Thanks!

[@TheChessGiant]

Thanks Lee! Glad you found it helpful!

[@teacherlee3527]

Can you do the Bishop B5 line that puts us in check before we castle? It'd be interesting to see your recommendations as it seems like quite a natural move for white. And it happened in my last game.

[@nikhilr4525]

@@teacherlee3527 you can cover that with c6?

[@SEAKPhotog]

Great stuff! Thank you.

[@TheChessGiant]

You got it - glad you're enjoying the series!

[@COOL_DAD]

Very informative, thanks

[@TheChessGiant]

You got it! Glad you enjoyed it man.

[@freespirit995]

Excellent!

[@TheChessGiant]

Glad you liked it brotha!

[@banzaiburger]

Your video was super helpful to me. I won a game against a guy that used the Austrian attack last week. He did an early e5 thrust and it didn't phase me :)

[@TheChessGiant]

Hey Danny! Glad to hear it - good work! Happy to help :)

[@imdarkseid2343]

The best I've ever seen in KZbin comparison to NM robert's Pirc Austrian you did better..

[@PriveGitaarles]

great stuff man, love it

[@TheChessGiant]

Glad you enjoyed it my guy! More Pirc content on the way!

[@chessstrategiesbyaaron5519]

thanks for the clear demonstration in games! Anyone can understand this video!

[@TheChessGiant]

You got it! Thanks a ton for the kind words, I'm gald you found it helpful!

[@tahashlibek]

Amazing stuff! I'll spend several hours practicing those lines. Thanks man (just subscribed)

[@TheChessGiant]

Thank you Taha for the kind words and subscribing! Glad you enjoyed it and let me know how it goes! I'll make sure to keep putting out some more Pirc Defense content. Also, always feel free to ask me any chess related questions or let me know any other chess opening videos you'd want to see!

[@bobthompson3739]

Excellent. As I am a bear of very little brain, and long words confuse me, I had to play this three times to assimilate, suffering also from information overload, I shall hopefully, play this opening with a degree of confidence. Many thanks for your clear and concise commentary.

[@TheChessGiant]

Glad you enjoyed it Bob! My videos go very in depth, so if you want a simple intro to an opening, sorry I get so deep in the trenches!! And also, you're smarter than you think! Good work on watching until you got the concepts and ideas!

[@bobthompson3739]

I have been playing this Pirc for some considerable time and it is very much touch and go on the outcome, despite playing what I deem to be the correct moves; it is a challenge for me to gain the ascendancy, but I’m afraid the score is about four out of ten %

[@TheChessGiant]

@@bobthompson3739 Ya for sure! What is your rating? It may be a better idea to go with something simple like e5 or the Caro-Kann. Let me know your thoughts!

[@jaydub2971]

Have to figure out how to send my (losing) Pirc Defense game for your review series.

[@TheChessGiant]

Hey J Dub! You can send it to my email which is "[e-mail]" - thanks!

[@rajghawale2231]

Solomon sir , this pirc is what I play and Austrian attack was my biggest fear . Thanks for helping me to beat this variation ,now I can beat anyone with these lines .

[@Nexus-X001]

Good old solid pirc,think ill try this again been a while.

[@TheChessGiant]

Gotta love the Pirc! And ya let me know how it goes!

[@Nexus-X001]

@@TheChessGiant Can you cover some jobava london/Jobava raport (a2 stopping bishop pinning the knight on c3) variation then you play for a e4 break putting the queen on e2 as well as greek gift ideas.

[@AmanSai-lm9ul]

@@Nexus-X001 I'd love that too

[@ErixMarcanoRivera]

Great analisis

[@TheChessGiant]

Thanks E! Glad you enjoyed it! The Pirc Defense is a great option.

[@ErixMarcanoRivera]

You video against de 150 attack help me a lot. Everybody is playing that against my Pirc. Than you.

[@TheChessGiant]

@@ErixMarcanoRivera Of course!

[@TheChessGiant]

Trying to take your game to the next level? Check out PRIVATE LESSONS with Solomon! www.thechessgiant.com/lessons

[@chessstrategiesbyaaron5519]

I have been playing this opening and its amazing!

[@TheChessGiant]

Gotta love the Pirc Defense!!

[@lebogangmailula1549]

I play pirc alot but I didn't about this line...thank you for the video.

[@TheChessGiant]

You got it brotha! More Pirc Defense lines/variations coming soon!

[@kokilamihirani]

Thanks ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@TP-ht2kc]

Why would white resign at 6:04 🤔

[@TheChessGiant]

Hey! So ya I explain after this statement how white is completely lost due to the edge in development black has. For common players, white may as well try to get out of it, but get two GMs in that position? White has a nearly zero percent chance to hold for a draw.

[@ZacH-ll5zw]

what is the best response to an early d5 pawn after they play e4 and have their knight out?

[@TheChessGiant]

in that case you can start picking at that center with a move like c6 potentially. You also want to fianchetto your bishop and look at weak dark squares like e5 and c5. One benefit on c6 is that you can put your queen on b6 and put that queen on the strong (and open) a7 to g1 diagonal putting the pressure on white's setup.

[@AmanSai-lm9ul]

2:56 I'm worried about the move e6

[@TheChessGiant]

Great question! So ya against e6, we will play fxe6 and then against Ng5 continue with Nf6. Against either Bc4 or Qe2 we can capture on d4 and we have a much better game. This shows white cannot keep mounting the pressure against our e6 pawn. However, if white plays dxc5 we can simply play moves like 0-0 or Nc6 and we are more than fine. To put it simply... 7. e6 fxe6 8. Ng5 Nf6 9. dxc5 0-0/Nc6 (we simply capture on d4 if white keeps mounting pressure against e6) Hope this helps!

[@Mrcheesedonut]

You didn't mention any of the scary lines when white plays an early e4-e5, followed by e5-e6?

[@TheChessGiant]

Hey Michael! Can you send me a timestamp? Thanks!

[@DudzTravelVlog]

How about white moves e6

[@TheChessGiant]

Hey Dudz! Would you be able to send me a timestamp? Thanks!

[@smalam64]

again what if the pawn pushes forward threatening the knight and then capturing F7 pawn and wrecking blacks chance to castle. btw i am a beginner so my questions will be stupid

[@TheChessGiant]

Hey Syed! No worries I'm always here to answer questions! Would you be able to send me a timestamp though so I know exactly where you're talking about? Thanks!

[@smalam64]

what if the white just pushes the pawn e4 pawn

[@TheChessGiant]

At what point? Could you send me a timestamp? Thanks Syed!

[@smalam64]

@@TheChessGiant No time stamp as per se, but at 1:21 instead of Knight F3 white moves pawn e4 to pawn e5. the black pawn d6 will have to take that pawn and then white pawn d4 will capture that pawn which will end up in black being forced to take the queen

[@smalam64]

@@TheChessGiant Thanks. that was a quick response

[@Ruri076]

hey there. You have a bit of repetition there in the middle of the video. From about 14.30 to 16.55 you cover the same line twice. Obviously two different recordings of the same part of your script. It is a very nice line though. It's probably no harm having it twice. I like the second version better.

[@TheChessGiant]

Thank you so much for telling me!!! Just sent this to my editor! We will look to get it fixed!

[@Ysspiano]

e5 is still playable, after 6. e5 Nd7 7.Bc4 c5 8.e6! fxe6 9.Ng5 and white is slighty better, has an easy game where black really needs to be accurate in order not to get mated white has h4 h5 ideas lurking in a lot of variations! Even after 6.e5 dxe5 or 6.e5 d ( which is the top engine line ) the positions can get dire for black pretty fast if white knows his stuff

[@TheChessGiant]

Thanks for the thoughtful comment brotha! Great lines and variations, although would you be cool with sending me a timestamp so I know exactly where you're talking about? Thanks!

[@Ysspiano]

@@TheChessGiant at 1:43

[@saturncocacola6086]

I'm Austrian.

[@TheChessGiant]

Ayy that's what's up! Super cool