Caissa Codex
B07

Pirc Defense: Sveshnikov System

Chess diagram: Pirc Defense: Sveshnikov System after 4. g3

Type a move and press Enter: e4, Nf3, O-O, or from and to squares like g1f3 (e7e8q to promote). The board is also played with the mouse.

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Statistics from Lichess

130,898 games: White 49.7% / Draw 6.4% / Black 43.9%

The moves played next. Pick one to see it on the board.
Next moveGamesWhite / Draw / BlackW / D / B
126,005126K
2,2832,283
569569
463463
303303
280280
260260
250250

Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 31, 2026

Engine evaluation

+0.16 The position is about equal

Best play: 4... Bg7 5. Bg2 O-O 6. Nge2 e5 7. O-O exd4 8. Nxd4 Re8 9. Re1

Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.

Overview

Pirc Defense: Sveshnikov System (ECO B07, Semi-Open Games) is a variation of the Pirc Defense, reached after 1. e4 d6 2. d4 Nf6 3. Nc3 g6 4. g3 (4 moves).

In 130,898 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 49.7%, Black 43.9% and 6.4% were drawn. Black's most played move here is 4…Bg7, in 96% of those games.

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Other lines from the same position

Instead of 4. g3, the position after Pirc Defense also goes on to:

Cite this page

Caissa Codex. “Pirc Defense: Sveshnikov System (B07)”. Lichess data as of 31 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/pirc-defense-sveshnikov-system

https://chesscodex.org/openings/pirc-defense-sveshnikov-system