Pirc Defense: Classical Variation, Quiet System, Parma Defense
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Statistics from Lichess
82,802 games: White 49.5% / Draw 7.0% / Black 43.5%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 42,21742K | ||
| 19,79020K | ||
| 6,6736,673 | ||
| 4,9454,945 | ||
| 3,1663,166 | ||
| 1,4201,420 | ||
| 952952 | ||
| 827827 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 31, 2026
Engine evaluation
+0.49 White is slightly better
Best play: 7. h3 Bxf3 8. Bxf3 Nc6 9. Ne2 a5 10. Rb1 e5 11. c3 Qe7
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
Pirc Defense: Classical Variation, Quiet System, Parma Defense (ECO B08, Semi-Open Games) is a variation of the Pirc Defense: Classical Variation, Quiet System, reached after 1. e4 d6 2. d4 Nf6 3. Nc3 g6 4. Nf3 Bg7 5. Be2 O-O 6. O-O Bg4 (6 moves).
In 82,802 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 49.5%, Black 43.5% and 7.0% were drawn. White's most played move here is 7. h3, in 51% of those games.
Written from the Lichess opening list and explorer. Know this line well? Write about it.
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How to play against the Pirc Defense: Classical Variation, Quiet System, Parma Defense
7. e5 scores best for White: 56.4%, with White winning 53.4% and Black 40.7% of 4,945 games. The most played, 7. h3, scores 52.7% in 42K games, and 7. Bg5 scores lowest: 51.3%. Stockfish's first choice is 7. h3.
Main answers: those played in at least 5% of these games. Score: White's wins plus half the draws, in rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500. How to play against other popular openings
Cite this page
Caissa Codex. “Pirc Defense: Classical Variation, Quiet System, Parma Defense (B08)”. Lichess data as of 31 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/pirc-defense-classical-variation-quiet-system-parma-defense