The Pirc Defense

This is an interesting opening that usually fails to stormlines and pawnstorms. The Pirc Defense looks a lot like the Philidor defense, but it is very different. The point of the Pirc Defense is to open up both bishops and attack the center with knights, not pawns. You fianchetto kingside which is normally followed by a castle. The light bishop is opened up. This defense strategy is not bad. In fact, it is tied with the Sicilian Defense for number one. The main line reads 1. e4, d6. That is the whole line. There are many variations to this, but this is where it begins.

The Pirc Defense

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The point of this is to develop your pieces to a limited space, but in great spots. The best move here after 2. d4, the logical move to gain space, time, and good developing spots is followed by (most of the time) 2...Nf6. You can see a diagram on the left. White must defend the pawn, because if he pushes it 3. e5, pxp 4. pxp, QxQ 5. KxQ, and the knight can move wherever it wants. White lost the right to castle. More common is Nc3, but this blocks a semi center pawn. This can be useful to aid. So another good move if you plan to stormline is Bd3. This can be followed by e6 which isn't very commanding, or g6 preparing to fianchetto the kingside bishop.

The Pirc Defense Fianchettoed

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Do you notice how black's light bishop is free and his dark bishop is in a dangerous spot for a discovered attack? Most of the time, it is better for black to defend with his knights and white to attack with his bishops, but not always. Many people castle into a fianchetto immediately, but it is better to have the fianchetto and NOT castle until the opponent has chosen to. White has a very safe queenside castle in this position and the Pirc Defense is intending white to castle kingside. Black can continue to develop and attack at the same time while white can do the same, but I suggest that you castle when you are threatened or open. Do not use the old saying, "Castle early, castle often." When you castle, it is a weak move unless you are threatened or the space in front of your king is open.

The Rat Defense

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Another good opening for you if you like the Pirc Defense is the Rat Defense. The reason that this is not a new section is that it is exactly the same as the Pirc Defense. The only difference is the opening. The main line reads 1. d4, d6 normally followed by 2. e4, Nf6. This looks exactly the same as the Pirc Defense after move 2. The difference is the order. So this is an answer to both of the main openings. The nice thing about castling into this fianchetto is that most people do not know what a stormline is because I am the creator. Most also don't know that pawnstorming is the easiest way to defeat it, so you are relatively safe. If you are in danger of being pawnstormed, you can try to set up a blockade with your bishops and knights. The most important thing about fianchettoes are their pawn structure.