Pirc: Classical, 5.Be3
Pirc: Classical, 5.Be3
Definition
The Pirc Defence arises after 1.e4 d6 2.d4 Nf6 3.Nc3 g6. White has several ways to continue; when he develops the king’s bishop to e3 on move five after 4.Nf3 Bg7, the opening is classified in the Encyclopaedia of Chess Openings as “B08 — Pirc: Classical System, 5.Be3.” The sequence of moves is usually written:
1. e4 d6 2. d4 Nf6 3. Nc3 g6 4. Nf3 Bg7 5. Be3
This set-up differs from the more aggressive “150 Attack,” where Be3 is played on move 4 and the knight often stays on g1 for a while. By first inserting 4.Nf3, White heads for a quieter, classical set-up in which he can castle either side, keep flexible central tension with e4–e5, and restrict Black’s typical …c7-c5 break.
Typical Usage in Play
From the position after 5.Be3, play usually continues with:
- 5…c6 — preparing …b5 or …d5.
- 5…O-O — the most popular, leaving Black’s intentions concealed.
- 5…a6 — the “Pribyl Move-Order,” clamping down on Nb5 before developing further.
White’s main branching points are:
- 6.Qd2 followed by 0-0-0, f2-f3 and g2-g4 in true “150 Attack” style.
- 6.Be2, reinforcing the centre and aiming for short castling.
- 6.h3, a fashionable waiting move that keeps the bishop from g4 and hides White’s king.
Strategic Ideas
- Central Restraint. Be3 shores up the d4-pawn, discourages …e5, and prepares d4-d5 or e4-e5 at the right moment.
- Flexible King Placement. By not rushing Qd2, White can choose between queenside castling (for a pawn storm on the kingside) or kingside castling with pieces aimed at the centre.
- Minor-Piece Battles. Typical manoeuvres include Bc1–g5 to exchange Black’s key defender Nf6, and Nf3–d2–b3 hitting c5 and d4 squares once the centre clarifies.
- Black’s Counterplay. Black looks for breaks with …c5, …e5, or …b5. The fianchettoed bishop on g7 can become a monster if the long diagonal opens.
Historical & Theoretical Significance
The Pirc was popularised in the mid-20th century by Yugoslav grandmasters such as Vasja Pirc (its namesake) and Borislav Ivkov. The Classical line with 5.Be3 was, for a long time, overshadowed by the sharper 5.f3 Austrian Attack. Its solid reputation grew in the 1990s when English GMs Julian Hodgson and John Emms began mixing it with the 150 Attack, showing that White could combine safety with latent attacking chances.
The variation remains a practical weapon at club level because move-order gripes often lead Black into uncomfortable positions if he is unfamiliar with the subtleties.
Illustrative Game
One concise model is the following rapid game, demonstrating White’s flexibility:
[[Pgn| e4|d6|d4|Nf6|Nc3|g6|Nf3|Bg7|Be3|O-O|Qd2|c6|Bh6|b5|Bd3|Nbd7|O-O-O|b4|Ne2|Qa5|Kb1|c5|h4|Nb6|h5|c4|hxg6|c3|gxh7+|Kh8|Bxg7+|Kxg7|Qg5+|Qxg5|Nxg5|cxb2|Kxb2|Na4+|Kd2|Nxh7|Nxh7|Rh8|f4|Nc3|Ra1|Rxh7|Rxh7|Kxh7|a3|Nxd5|exd5|a5|axb4|axb4|Rb1|Ra4|f5|Kg7|Be4|gxf5|Bxf5|Kf6|Bd3|axb4|Re1|Ra3|Re8|Bb7|Rb8|Bxd5|Bxd5|Ra7|b3|cxb3|Rxb3|Rxf7+|Ke5|Re7+|Kxd5|Re6|Rxd3+|Kc2|Ra3|Re8|Ba6|Kd2|Ra2+|Ke3|Re2+|Kf4|Rxe8|c4|Bxc4|f6|Rf2|Bxd5|Rd2+|Kf5|Ra2|Re7|bxc4|Rd7+|Kc6|Rd8|Rxd8|Ke5|c3|f5|c2|f6|c1=Q|Kd4|Rxd6+|Ke4|Qg5| ]]White (Hodgson) eventually crashed through on the kingside after carefully avoiding Black’s queenside counterplay, a textbook illustration of the variation’s double-edged nature.
Fascinating Facts
- The nickname “150 Attack” was coined in British weekend tournaments where many players with ECF ratings around 150 adopted early Be3 & Qd2 schemes, believing “if it’s good enough for GMs, it’s good enough for us.”
- Magnus Carlsen used the Classical 5.Be3 move-order in blitz against Teimour Radjabov (World Blitz 2019) and won in 24 moves, showing that even World Champions appreciate its practical sting.
- Because 5.Be3 keeps the queen on d1, some databases confusingly file the same middlegames under both “Classical” and “150 Attack” headings; careful move-order study is therefore essential for serious Pirc analysts.
When to Add It to Your Repertoire
Choose the Classical 5.Be3 if you:
- Prefer a sound centre before launching a pawn-storm.
- Like to keep your opponent guessing about which side you will castle.
- Want positions rich in manoeuvring but with clear attacking chances once the pawn breaks begin.
Steer clear if you seek immediate forcing play (the Austrian Attack, 4.f4, might suit you better) or dislike complex middlegames with opposite-side castling.