Pirc Defence Czech Variation, 3...c6 (B07)

203 pp. The Pirc Defence is a sharp hypermodern opening in which Black tempts White into establishing a pawn centre with the idea of rapidly undermining it. Its unbalanced nature ensures exciting play and invariably this leads to a decisive result. Leading modern exponents include World Championship Candidates Finalist Jan Timman, American Grandmaster Yasser Seirawan, and Britain's Jon Speelman. The Czech Variation (also known as the Czech Pirc or Czech Defense) is a flexible and offbeat response for Black in the Pirc Defense, occurring after the moves: 1. e4 d6 2. d4 Nf6 3. Nc3 c6. Instead of the standard Pirc move 3... g6 (preparing to fianchetto the bishop), Black plays 3... c6 to immediately control the d5 and b5 squares, prepare for a queenside expansion, and keep the option of developing the queen to a5 or b6.