Pirc Defense 2. d4 Nf6

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Overview

Pirc Defense is a variation within the Semi-Open Games family, indexed as ECO B00.

The Semi-Open Games group covers semi-open games — replies to 1.e4 where Black declines the symmetrical 1…e5 in favour of an asymmetric pawn structure.

The line arises from 4 plies — specifically the moves 1. e4 d6 2. d4 Nf6.

It is a variation of Pirc Defense, which itself descends from the root opening King's Pawn Game.

It branches into 5 notable variations — Czech Defense, Lion Defense, Lion Defense: Lion's Jaw, and others.

Counted recursively, this branch covers 32 sub-variations at all depths.

Step through the moves on the interactive board below, review the live Lichess statistics, or play this position against Stockfish at one of six difficulty levels.

ECO code: B00
Group: Semi-Open Games (B)
Plies: 4
Parent: Pirc Defense
Direct variations: 5
Total in subtree: 32

This overview is generated automatically from the opening's metadata. Know this line well? Write a description — submissions are reviewed before publishing.

Statistics from Lichess

19,776,170 games · White 48.1% / Draw 5.0% / Black 46.9%

Moves	Games	W / D / B
Nc3	13,452,798
Bd3	4,342,062
f3	661,122
e5	387,161
Nd2	384,992
Nf3	186,900
Bc4	68,235
Bg5	57,914

Source: Lichess Opening Explorer · cached 2026-09-26 00:58:38

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Variations (5)

Show all 32 sub-variations (full subtree)

Overview

Statistics from Lichess

Variations (5)

Related variations at the same level