12. Counter the Czech Pirc
The Czech Pirc variation of the Pirc Defense – 1.e4 d6 2.d4 Nf6 3.Nc3 c6 – is super popular among 2000 level players.
One of the main reasons behind its popularity is because of a dangerous trap. Many players who employ the Czech Pirc often pin their hopes on it.
However, there’s a strange-looking novelty that sidesteps this trap and gives White a huge advantage.
You'll discover that along with how to attack against this opening.
Below you can find the positions taken from the course:
After watching the course, you’ll understand why players at higher levels want to avoid playing the Czech Pirc. Are you ready?
Let’s go!
Additional Resources: Also, check out our repertoire with the White pieces in Pirc Defense and Modern Pirc.
What you'll learn
- How to get an advantage in the Czech Pirc, move-by-move.
- Black's dangerous trap and how to sidestep it with a simple move.
- The key ideas of this opening.
- Model games between Grandmasters where you’ll see how White converts their advantage.
Lesson Plan
21 episode(s) 49 minStudents give this course an average of 4.8 out of 5 stars.
endlicheri G
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Chong Hao Ern
WIM_Siranush Ghukasyan
Thomas Maes
Artyom Manukyan
GM Avetik Grigoryan
After having a successful playing career where he became the Armenian Champion in 2010, GM Avetik Grigoryan found his passion for chess coaching and switched to it full-time.
Since then, he has guided many ambitious players to become Grandmasters and International Masters and has over 10 years of coaching experience.
He believes anyone can improve at chess, with the right mood and proper direction. And with that vision, he founded ChessMood in 2018.
After having a successful playing career where he became the Armenian Champion in 2010, GM Avetik Grigoryan found his passion for chess coaching and switched to it full-time.
Since then, he has guided many ambitious players to become Grandmasters and International Masters and has over 10 years of coaching experience.
He believes anyone can improve at chess, with the right mood and proper direction. And with that vision, he founded ChessMood in 2018.
The Czech Pirc is a variation of the Pirc Defense that arises after 1.e4 d6 2.d4 Nf6 3.Nc3 c6.
It’s not very popular at the top because White has different ways to get an opening advantage. This is reflected in White scoring around 60% in this line.
Despite that, many players at the 2000 level play this opening extensively.
History of Czech Defense
The Czech Defense appeared on the board for the first time in a game between Benjamin Blumenfeld - Peter Evtifeev in Saint Petersburg, 1906, which White won.
But the opening is named after a Czech player, Josef Pribyl, who regularly used this line in the 1980s and 1990s.
The opening also has other names like Pribyl Pirc or Pribyl System.
What’s the difference between the normal Pirc and the Czech Pirc?
In the normal Pirc, Black develops their kingside pieces with 3...g6, followed by Bg7.
In the Czech Pirc, Black delays the development of their Bishop. Instead, they begin to play on the queenside with ...b5 or put White’s center under pressure with ...e5 and ...Qa5.
How to play against the Czech Pirc?
With correct play after 1.e4 d6 2.d4 Nf6 3.Nc3 c6, White has different options to gain an advantage.
Our Grandmasters recommend a line starting with 4.f4! The main idea is to grab more central space. Later White will complete their development before launching an assault.
Is the Czech Pirc Good for beginners?
As previously stated, the Czech Pirc isn’t seen regularly at the top-level because with the right play White will get a dominating position.
You could use it as a one-off surprise but it might land you in trouble against well-prepared opponents.
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