Pirc Defense: Bayonet Attack
Pirc Defense: Bayonet Attack
Definition
The Bayonet Attack is an aggressive branch of the Austrian Attack against the Pirc Defense. It arises after the moves:
1. e4 d6 2. d4 Nf6 3. Nc3 g6 4. f4 Bg7 5. Nf3 0-0 6. e5 Nfd7 7. h4!
White’s quick advance of the h-pawn (often followed by h4-h5) is likened to thrusting a bayonet, giving the line its colorful name. ECO code: B09.
Typical Move-Order & Main Line
- 7…c5 8.h5 or 7…Nb6 8.h5 often marks the start of concrete play.
- White may delay castling, keeping the king in the center while throwing pawns on the kingside.
- Black counters in the center (…c5, …dxe5) or on the queenside (…c5, …b5) and relies on the flexible Pirc structure to weather the storm.
Strategic Ideas
- White
- Open the h-file via h5×g6 or h5-h6 to attack the fianchettoed king.
- Support the pawn storm with Bd3, Qe2, 0-0-0, h5 and sometimes a piece sacrifice on g6 or h7.
- Maintain the strong pawn on e5 to cramp Black’s pieces.
- Black
- Strike at the center with …c5 or …e6, undermining e5 and d4.
- Exploit the fact that White’s king is usually uncastled or on the queenside, counterattacking on the c- and a-files.
- Exchange pieces to blunt the direct assault; the dark-squared bishop often drops back to e7 or f8 for defense.
Historical Notes
The Austrian Attack (4.f4) became fashionable in the 1960s, but the Bayonet sub-variation with 7.h4 surged later, championed by attacking specialists such as Alexei Shirov and Vassily Ivanchuk in the 1990s. Its reputation as a “theoretical hand-grenade” forced many Pirc practitioners to look for alternative deviations as early as move five.
Illustrative Miniature
The following rapid game shows how quickly things can go wrong for Black.
Model Game Reference
Shirov – Lutz, Linares 1998 is a celebrated example. Shirov’s sacrificial 19.Bxg6!! demonstrated the line’s attacking potential and is still quoted in opening manuals.
Practical Tips
- Memorize the critical idea h4-h5; timing is everything—if Black can reply …h5 in one move the attack loses bite.
- After 7…c5 8.h5, decide early whether you will castle long or keep the king in the center—both have different pawn-break implications.
- Black players should prepare …cxd4 followed by …Nb6 or …dxe5, dissolving the central pawn chain before the kingside opens.
Interesting Facts
- The name “Bayonet” was borrowed from the King’s Indian 9.b4 line, where White also “sticks” a pawn into Black’s position.
- Because of the sharpness, several grandmasters—including the noted Pirc expert GM Mihail Marin—recommend meeting 7.h4 with the hyper-modern 7…h5!?, turning the tables on White’s pawn thrust.
- Modern engines show roughly equal chances, but practical statistics in over-the-board play strongly favor White, reflecting how difficult the defense is for humans.