Pirc Defense: Chinese Variation

The Pirc Defense is a popular opening for black that starts with 1...d6. After white replies with 2.d4, black's knight is immediately developed with 2...Nf6, putting pressure on white's central pawn. In response, white often plays 3.Nc3, preparing to bring their other knight and bishop into the game. One interesting option for white is to play 4.Be2, supporting their pawn on d4 and preparing to castle kingside. But the move that really characterizes the Chinese Variation of the Pirc Defense is 5.g4, a pawn thrust that aggressively attacks black's kingside. This move aims to discourage the development of black's light-squared bishop and to gain space for white's pieces. By playing 5.g4 early on, white also signals their intention to play an attacking game.

Black's move 1...d6 is a flexible and solid response to white's opening move. By controlling the center with their pawn on d6, black prepares to develop their pieces and launch counter-attacks. This move also has the potential to transpose into various types of openings, such as the Pirc Defense or the Philidor Defense. By delaying the development of their other pieces, black can wait and see what white's strategy will be before committing their other pieces to the board. In sum, 1...d6 is a versatile and effective move for black in response to 1.e4.

White's move 2.d4 challenges black's pawn on d6 and aims to control the center of the board. By advancing their own pawn, white seeks to gain space and prepare their pieces for development. This move also opens lines for white's queen and bishop, potentially putting pressure on black's position. However, by advancing a pawn on their second move, white risks creating weaknesses in their own position and allowing black to attack with pieces such as the knight and queen. In sum, 2.d4 is a very aggressive move from white that can lead to dynamic and tactical positions in the opening.

In the Pirc Defense: Chinese Variation, black's move 2...Nf6 develops a knight and puts pressure on white's central pawn on d4. This move also prepares to castle kingside and potentially attack white's position. By putting their knight on f6, black also adds support to their pawn on d6, making it more difficult for white to advance in the center. Additionally, this move can allow black to later exchange their knight for white's bishop on c1, disrupting white's development plans. Ultimately, 2...Nf6 is a solid and flexible move in the Pirc Defense that allows black to react to white's future play.

White's move 3.Nc3 is a natural developing move that aims to control more central squares and put pressure on black's knight on f6. This move also prepares to bring white's dark-squared bishop into the game and castle kingside. By placing their knight on c3, white also avoids the doubled pawns that would result from advancing the pawn on c2. However, playing Nc3 before developing the bishop can also lead to a loss of flexibility in white's opening plan. Black may respond by playing moves such as ...e5 or ...g6, challenging white's center and posing problems for white's pieces. In sum, 3.Nc3 is a common and natural move in many different openings and is seen in the Pirc Defense as well.

Black's move 3...g6 is a flexible move that prepares to fianchetto their bishop on g7 and further control the center of the board. This move also prevents white's knight on c3 from advancing to d5, putting pressure on black's position. Additionally, by placing their king's bishop on g7, black can support their pawn on d6 and create a solid pawn chain. However, by delaying the development of their pieces in favor of a pawn move, black risks giving white more opportunities to gain an advantage in the center. In sum, 3...g6 is a common choice in many different openings, such as the King's Indian Defense, and is a flexible and solid move for black in response to 3.Nc3.

In the Pirc Defense: Chinese Variation, white's move 4.Be2 supports their pawn on d4 and prepares to castle kingside. By placing their bishop on e2, white also creates more space for their pieces to maneuver, such as the knight on f3 or the queen on d1. Additionally, this move discourages black from playing ...Ng4, as the bishop on e2 protects the pawn on f3. However, by developing the bishop before the knight, white may miss some tactical opportunities and give black more chances to launch counter-attacks. In sum, 4.Be2 is a flexible and common move in many different openings and can lead to various types of positions.

Black's move 4...Bg7 is a logical developing move that completes the fianchetto of their king's bishop. This move also adds extra protection to the pawn on d6 and prepares to castle kingside. Additionally, by placing their bishop on g7, black potentially puts pressure on white's pawn on e4 and eyes the long diagonal. However, playing ...Bg7 before developing the knight on c6 can result in a loss of flexibility in black's position, as their pieces are not yet ideally placed. White may respond by playing moves such as h2-h4 or f2-f4 to attack black's fianchetto and provoke weaknesses in their position. In sum, 4...Bg7 is a common and natural move in many different openings and is a flexible and solid part of black's plan in the Pirc Defense: Chinese Variation.

White's move 5.g4 is a pawn thrust that aggressively attacks black's kingside and aims to gain more space. This move also prepares to open lines for the white queen and rook on the kingside. Additionally, playing g4 can disrupt black's pawn structure and discourage the development of their light-squared bishop. However, playing g4 too early can leave white's pawn vulnerable to attack and allow black to gain a positional advantage. In sum, 5.g4 is a risky but potentialy rewarding move in many openings and can lead to dynamic and tactical positions.