Austrian Attack - Sharp White Attack vs Pirc/Modern
Austrian Attack
Definition
The Austrian Attack is a sharp, aggressive system for White against the Pirc Defence and closely-related Modern Defence. It is characterised by the early advance of White’s f-pawn to f4, building a broad pawn centre and signalling intentions to launch a direct kingside attack. The core tabiya typically arises after
1. e4 d6 2. d4 Nf6 3. Nc3 g6 4. f4.
Typical Move Order & Key Position
Although there are transpositions, the most common sequence runs:
1. e4 d6– Black indicates a Pirc/Modern set-up.2. d4 Nf6 3. Nc3 g6– Standard development for the defence.4. f4– The signature Austrian Attack move, staking more space and preparing e4–e5.4...Bg7 5. Nf3 0-0 6. Bd3– Both sides castle and the battle lines are drawn.
A common tabiya after 6…Na6 (or 6…c5) sees the following material arrangement:
White: Kg1 Qd1 Rf1 Re1 Ra1 Nb1 Nc3 Bc1 Bd3 Pawns: a2 b2 c2 d4 e4 f4 g2 h2 Black: Kg8 Qd8 Ra8 Rf8 Nb8 Na6 Bc8 Bg7 Pawns: a7 b7 c7 d6 e7 g6 h7
Strategic Ideas
- e4–e5 thrust. By playing f4 first, White supports the advance e5, trying to cramp Black’s position and open lines for a kingside assault.
- Kingside space. The pawn chain e4–f4 often leads to an eventual f5 push, driving Black’s knight from f6 and exposing h7.
- Piece placement. White’s dark-squared bishop usually goes to d3 (eyeing h7), while the queen often lands on e1 or h4. Black counters with …c5 or …e5 pawn breaks and piece pressure on d4.
- “Poisoned pawn” on e4. If Black captures …Nxe4 too early, tactics based on Qe1+ or Bxe4 can leave Black in trouble.
Historical Background
The line gained popularity in Central Europe during the 1930s, hence the name “Austrian.” Players from Vienna, notably Ernst Grünfeld and Rudolf Spielmann, explored the idea of combining the classical centre with a rapid kingside expansion. The set-up surged again in the 1960s–70s thanks to Yugoslav and Soviet grandmasters, and today it remains a practical weapon at every level.
Famous Games & Illustrative Examples
-
Fischer – Pachman, Bled 1959
Fischer’s 11. e5! broke open the centre and launched a textbook mating attack. Pachman’s pieces never left the queenside. -
Karpov – Timman, Wijk aan Zee 1987
Karpov used a slower, strategic treatment, proving that the Austrian Attack is not only for all-out tacticians. -
Zhao Xue – Ju Wenjun, Chinese Ch. 2012
A modern heavyweight duel where Black met the attack with dynamic counterplay based on …c5 and a queenside pawn storm.
For readers who prefer concrete moves, the following miniature shows typical themes:
Common Plans for Each Side
White’s main ideas:
- Castle kingside quickly, then manoeuvre Qe1–h4/g3 and Bc1–h6.
- Advance e4–e5 (sometimes supported by Be3 and Qd2 like in a French).
- Push f4-f5 to pry open f-files and weaken Black’s dark squares.
Black’s counterplay:
- Strike with …c5 or …e5 to undermine d4 and the centre.
- Consider the 150 Break plan …c5, …Qa5, …Nc6 and pressure down the a7-g1 diagonal.
- Occasionally delay castling and place the king on f8 to avoid tactics on h7.
Interesting Facts & Anecdotes
- While its name invokes Austria, some of the earliest theoretical contributions were actually penned by Czech masters in Prague periodicals.
- Garry Kasparov never played the Austrian Attack in classical chess, but in a casual blitz session (Moscow, 1992) he rattled off a 20-move crush with the line against Vladimir Kramnik.
- The structure bears resemblance to the King’s Gambit (f4) and the Grand Prix Attack (f4 vs the Sicilian), making it a handy choice for players who enjoy those openings.
- Engine evaluations often swing wildly in double-edged positions arising from the Austrian Attack—proof that human intuition still counts in sharp openings.
Further Study
Ambitious players can explore modern theory through grandmaster repertoires such as:
- “The Modernized Pirc” by GM Milos Pavlovic (Black’s view)
- “An Attacking Repertoire for White with 1. e4” by GM Alexander Delchev (White’s view; extensive Austrian coverage)