B08
Pirc Defense: Classical Variation
Key moves: 1.e4 g6
The Modern Defence is a hypermodern opening where Black fianchettoes the bishop and allows White to occupy the centre. Black plans to undermine the centre later with ...c5 or ...d5.
History & Notable Players
Popularised in the 1960s and 1970s by players like Azmaiparashvili and Suttles.
Top Players in this Opening
Best Games
Gukesh,D vs Erigaisi,Arjun1-0
13th Norway Chess 2025 • 2025★ Notable
Firouzja,Alireza vs Nepomniachtchi,I1-0
Saint Louis Blitz 2020 • 2020★ Notable
Kramnik,V vs Svidler,P1-0
6th Zurich Opening Blitz • 2017★ Notable
Ivanchuk,V vs Kramnik,V1-0
FIDE Candidates • 2013★ Notable
Radjabov,T vs Mamedyarov,S1/2-1/2
FIDE Grand Prix • 2008★ Notable
Leko,P vs Svidler,P1/2-1/2
Tal Memorial Blitz • 2008★ Notable
Grischuk,A vs Morozevich,A1/2-1/2
Tal Memorial Blitz • 2008★ Notable
Hou Yifan vs Sabure,T1-0
1st WCh-Team Women • 2007★ Notable
Leko,P vs Ivanchuk,V0-1
Amber Rapid • 2004★ Notable
Navara, David vs Gagunashvili, Merab0-1
Wch U14 • 1999★ Notable
Asrian, Karen vs Kasimdzhanov, Rustam0-1
Wch U20 • 1999★ Notable
Perelshteyn, Eugene vs Kasimdzhanov, Rustam0-1
Wch U20 • 1999★ Notable
Khalifman, Alexander vs Adams, Michael1-0
WchT 4th • 1997★ Notable
Rublevsky, Sergei vs Beliavsky, Alexander G1/2-1/2
FIDE-Wch k.o. • 1997★ Notable
Adams, Michael vs Shirov, Alexei1/2-1/2
Dortmund • 1996★ Notable
Leko, Peter vs Shirov, Alexei0-1
Dortmund • 1996★ Notable
Ljubojevic, Ljubomir vs Shirov, Alexei1-0
Amber-blind 5th • 1996★ Notable
Ljubojevic, Ljubomir vs Shirov, Alexei1/2-1/2
Amber-blind 4th • 1995★ Notable
Karpov, Anatoly vs Shirov, Alexei1/2-1/2
Linares • 1995★ Notable
Anand, Viswanathan vs Kramnik, Vladimir1-0
Amber-rapid 4th • 1995★ Notable