Pirc Defense: Austrian Attack

The Austrian Attack, 1.e4 d6 2.d4 Nf6 3.Nc3 g6 4.f4, is one of the most ambitious systems against the Pirc Defense. White sets up a broad pawn centre early in the game and uses the advanced f-pawn to support the breakthrough e4–e5.

Origins

Siegbert Tarrasch used the Austrian Attack to beat Rudolf Charousek in 17 moves in 1896, while Edward Lasker lost with it to Miguel Najdorf. In the 17th game of the 1972 World Championship, Bobby Fischer answered Boris Spassky's 1.e4 with the Pirc Defense, the only time in his career, and Spassky chose the Austrian Attack; the game was drawn. The line is well respected by Nick de Firmian, the author of Modern Chess Openings, and Jan Timman has played it successfully with both colours.

The idea

The Austrian Attack aims to take advantage of Black's hypermodern approach. Black often castles early and looks for counterplay with ...c5, in some cases ...e5, or by developing the queen's knight.

Main lines

After the usual 4...Bg7 5.Nf3 the main moves are 5...O-O and 5...c5.

• After 5...O-O, the most frequently played move is 6.Bd3, the Weiss Variation. 6...Nc6 is the most common reply; 6...Na6, with the idea of ...Nc7, ...Rb8 and ...b5, became popular in the 1980s after 6...Nc6 was found to offer Black few winning chances.
• 6.e5 (Unzicker Attack in this database) is a sharp try with unclear consequences. It was much played in the 1960s but has never become popular at the highest levels.
• 6.Be3 (Kurajica Variation) was first explored extensively in the 1970s and was played by Bojan Kurajica, Yuri Balashov and Alexander Beliavsky; it leads to sharp play.
• 5...c5 (Dragon Formation in this database) strikes at White's centre at once. The usual replies are 6.dxc5, which allows 6...Qa5, and 6.Bb5+, which leads to tactics: a common line is 6...Bd7 7.e5 Ng4 8.e6 fxe6, a move thought bad until Yasser Seirawan played it against Gyula Sax in 1988. The sharp 6.e5 Nfd7 7.exd6 O-O is considered to give Black good play.
• Instead of 5.Nf3, White can attack at once with 5.e5 Nfd7 or develop with 5.Bd3; 5.Bc4 is the Ljubojevic Variation.

Strengths and weaknesses

For White

• A broad pawn centre and the e4–e5 break, supported by the f-pawn.
• A direct, aggressive line that tests Black's hypermodern set-up.

For Black

• Early castling and counterplay against the centre with ...c5 or ...e5.
• Lines such as 5...c5 6.e5 Nfd7 7.exd6 O-O give Black good play.

Who should play it

The Austrian Attack suits White players who want to meet the Pirc head-on, with a big centre and attacking chances.

The numbers

In 1,894,131 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 and 2500, White won 51.0%, Black 44.0%, and 4.9% were drawn. White is ahead in every rating band: 52.3% against 44.3% under 1400, 52.2% against 44.1% at 1400–1799, 50.6% against 44.6% at 1800–2199 and 51.5% against 41.7% from 2200 up. In about 5,000 master games White won 37.0%, Black 24.8%, and 38.2% were drawn.