Pirc Defense: Classical Variation, Schlechter Variation

An entry in the Encyclopedia of Chess Openings (ECO B08), reached after 9 half-moves: 1. e4 d6 2. d4 Nf6 3. Nc3 g6 4. Nf3 Bg7 5. h3.

Black rook — Use ← → arrows or click moves to step through.

Black knight — Use ← → arrows or click moves to step through.

End of this line

No further variations branch from this position in our database. To explore neighbouring ideas:

About this opening

Pirc Defense: Classical Variation, Schlechter Variation is an opening in the Encyclopedia of Chess Openings, classified under code B08. ECO group B (B00–B99) covers semi-open games (1.e4 with Black playing anything other than 1…e5), with the Sicilian, French, Caro-Kann and Pirc/Modern at its heart. This particular variation is reached after 9 half-moves from the starting position, with the move sequence 1. e4 d6 2. d4 Nf6 3. Nc3 g6 4. Nf3 Bg7 5. h3.

It belongs to the Pirc Defense family. Within that family this is a level-2 branch (the Classical Variation → Schlechter Variation line). The immediate parent line is Pirc Defense: Classical Variation, transitioned via 5.h3.

The opening sequence in prose form: 1.e4 d6, 2.d4 Nf6, 3.Nc3 g6, 4.Nf3 Bg7, 5.h3. From this position the encyclopaedia records no further canonical continuations — practical play branches into unnamed transpositions or returns to the parent line for alternative ideas.