Chessy
Pirc: Austrian Attack for White
The Austrian Attack gives White a direct, ambitious setup against the Pirc. After the opening moves, the position is already sharp and the engine likes White: Stockfish rates it +0.73, a clear edge for White. That means you are in a good spot and can play for more than just development. The drill below helps you meet Black’s most common continuations and spot the moves that drift into trouble.
Play the Pirc: Austrian Attack against the engine
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Play the drill now and practise the main replies until they feel natural. Create a free account to track your progress and come back anytime.
Create a free account →What White is aiming for
This opening is about space and initiative. With the pawn on f4, White takes more room and makes it harder for Black to settle comfortably. Your job is not to drift into a slow game; it is to keep the pressure up, develop smoothly, and make Black respond to your central presence. The engine’s best move here is Bg7, and the natural continuation shown in the line is Bg7 Nf3 O-O Bd3. That is the kind of position you should be ready to face in the drill.
What the numbers say
The position is very playable for White. Across 669,739 games at this exact position, White wins 52.2%, draws 3.6%, and Black wins 44.2%. That is a strong practical result for the first player, and it matches the engine’s verdict. In a real game, you can expect Black to choose Bg7 most often, so it is worth knowing that setup well rather than only chasing rare answers.
The main replies to know
The most played continuation is Bg7, with 591,527 games, and White scores 51.7% there. Black also tries Bg4 in 18,722 games, where White scores 56.9%; c6 in 12,253 games, where White scores 54.4%; Nbd7 in 11,549 games, where White scores 57.7%; e5 in 8,757 games, where White scores 58.9%; and c5 in 7,056 games, where White scores 52.9%. In other words, the drill is not just about one move. It is about recognising the big replies and staying in control of the position.
The moves Black should avoid
The known mistakes are useful because they show where Black can go wrong fast. Bg4 is an inaccuracy and loses about 0.6 pawns compared with the better move Bg7. Nbd7 is also an inaccuracy and loses about 0.8 pawns compared with Bg7. e5 is the clearest listed mistake and loses about 1.4 pawns compared with Bg7. When you see these moves in the drill, treat them as chances to keep your advantage and make Black’s position harder, not as reasons to relax.
Results across 669,739 Lichess games
| Most-played continuation | Games | White wins |
|---|---|---|
| Bg7 | 591,527 | 51.7% |
| Bg4 | 18,722 | 56.9% |
| c6 | 12,253 | 54.4% |
| Nbd7 | 11,549 | 57.7% |
| e5 | 8,757 | 58.9% |
| c5 | 7,056 | 52.9% |
Frequently asked questions
Is the Pirc: Austrian Attack good for White?
Yes. In this exact position, Stockfish rates it +0.73, a clear edge for White. The game results also lean your way, so this is a very practical opening choice if you want active play.
What is Black’s best move against the Austrian Attack?
The engine’s best move here is Bg7. The listed continuation is Bg7 Nf3 O-O Bd3, so you should be ready to face that setup often.
What should I expect from Black most often?
The most played continuation is Bg7, with 591,527 games. That is by far the main branch, so it deserves the most attention in the drill.
Which Black replies are marked as mistakes?
Bg4 is an inaccuracy, Nbd7 is an inaccuracy, and e5 is a mistake. All of them are compared against Bg7, which is the stronger move in the position.
How many games feature the Pirc: Austrian Attack?
Over 669K Lichess games have reached the Pirc: Austrian Attack position. White wins 52.2%, Black wins 44.2%, with 3.6% draws — based on real rated games.