The Pirc is an ambitious counter-attacking response to White's most popular opening move, 1 e4. Black's philosophy is based around allowing White to build a large and impressive-looking pawn centre, only to plot its downfall by attacking it with pieces or timely pawn strikes. When it works, the results can be spectacular, but of course this method of play carries with it some danger; if Black is not careful he runs the risk of simply being swamped in the centre. Such a provocative approach has found favour with a line of uncompromising Grandmasters including former Soviet Champion Alexander Beliavsky and Mikhail Gurevich.

In this comprehensive guide, opening expert James Vigus provides an up-to-date appraisal of the Pirc and its many variations. Drawing upon his vast experience in this opening, Vigus examines in depth the traditional main lines, the fashionable alternatives and the tricky sidelines, while outlining the characteristic tactical and positional ideas for both colours. A study of this book will allow the reader to confidently play these positions with either White or Black.

Preface

The Pirc Defence is an exciting yet dependable reply to 1 e4, a way for Black to un­balance the game without extreme risk. Its fighting qualities attract many strong players in open tournaments who aim to win with Black as well as White; as when Marc Narciso Dublan scored a remarkable 4/4 with it in this year's Sants Open in Spain, against opposition including a GM and a strong IM.

There has, however, been no book devoted to the whole range of Pirc theory for several years - during which time many new discoveries and concepts have ap­peared, and fashions evolved. This, for instance, is the first book on the Pirc to dedi­cate a whole chapter to the 150 Attack (Chapter Ten), now one of the most impor­tant lines in the whole opening. In the same chapter can be found the Archbishop Attack, a potent White system which will be nevertheless be new to most readers.

Nowhere is up-to-date theory more important than in the Austrian Attack (4 f4), which I treat in full detail, concluding that Black's resources are fine. However, this book does not neglect more positional counters to the Pirc such as the Classical and Fianchetto Variations; and I also present much new material on unusual White tries, including the Spike.

If Pirc monographs are in short supply, the same cannot be said of White reper­toire books and articles. The contrast between the practical success of the Pirc for Black and the deluge of publications proclaiming a White advantage is striking. One feature of The Pirc in Black and White designed to aid players of both colours is the special attention given to the lines recommended in these works. I do not promise easy answers, but I do promise new analysis; and this mostly takes the form of im­provements for Black.

It is a pleasure to acknowledge the help I have received in writing this book (though all errors and shortcomings are mine alone). John Emms has supplied not only essential material, but also patient and thorough answers to my many ques­tions. Richard Palliser's advice both on general presentation and some specific analysis has been much appreciated. Simon Bibby helped greatly through discus­sion of analysis in progress, and by commenting on a draft of the book. Thank you!

Whether in Black or White, I hope you will enjoy sharing some adventures with me in this fascinating opening.

James Vigus,

Jena, Germany,

December 2006


Content:
005 Bibliography

007 Preface

009 Introduction

Part 1: The Austrian Attack - 4 f4 Bg7 5 Nf 3 c5

021 1 Early Deviations: 6 e5, 6 dxc5, and 6 Bb5+ Bd7 7 Bxd7+

048 2 Maximum Complexity: 6 Bb5+ Bd7 7 e5 Ng4 8 Bxd7+ and 8 h3

066 3 The 5...c5 Main Line: 6 Bb5+ Bd7 7 e5 Ng4 8 e6

Part 2: The Austrian Attack - 4 f4 - Bg7 5 Nf3 0-0

87 4 Early Deviations: 6 e5, 6 Be2, 6 Be3, and 6 a3

125 5 The 5...0-0 Main Line: 6 Bd3 Nc6 and 6...Na6

Part 3: White Develops Quietly

164 6 The Fianchetto Variation: 4 g3

186 7 The Classical Variation: 4 Nf3 Bg7 5 Be2

Part 4: Modern Flexibility

241 8 The Accelerated Classical: 4 Nf3 Bg7 5 h3 0-0 6 Be3

258 9 The f3-System: 4 Be3 followed by f3

286 10 The 150 Attack: 4 Be3 and 5 Qd2

Part 5: White Alternatives

332 11 Instant Aggression: 4 Bg5

358 12 Odds and Ends: 4 Bc4,4 Bf4, and the Spike

379 Index of Complete Games