Pirc Defense: Austrian Attack, Unzicker Attack (B09)

The Austrian Attack, Unzicker Attack is a variation of the Pirc Defense, catalogued as ECO B09. The line runs 1. e4 d6 2. d4 Nf6 3. Nc3 g6 4. f4 Bg7 5. Nf3 O-O 6. e5, reaching the position shown below after 11 half-moves.

White holds the centre with pawns on d4 and e5, and one pawn capture is available, so the structure has not settled yet. Development is level at two minor pieces each. It is Black to move after six moves. Black has castled while White’s king is still uncommitted.

On the Pirc Defense generally: A hypermodern defense where Black lets White build a center, then counterattacks.

You can play through this variation move by move in your browser — Learn mode walks the line with an explanation at each step, and Drill mode replays it from memory so you find out whether you actually know it. No account is required.

Pirc Defense: Austrian Attack, Unzicker Attack — position after e5 a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
Position after 1. e4 d6 2. d4 Nf6 3. Nc3 g6 4. f4 Bg7 5. Nf3 O-O 6. e5

Move order

#WhiteBlack
1e4d6
2d4Nf6
3Nc3g6
4f4Bg7
5Nf3O-O
6e5

ECO: B09

Stockfish: +0.29 at depth 18

Practice this line free →

Related Pirc Defense lines

Frequently asked questions

What are the moves of the Austrian Attack, Unzicker Attack?

The Austrian Attack, Unzicker Attack goes 1. e4 d6 2. d4 Nf6 3. Nc3 g6 4. f4 Bg7 5. Nf3 O-O 6. e5. It is a variation of the Pirc Defense and is catalogued as ECO B09.

What is the ECO code for the Austrian Attack, Unzicker Attack?

The Austrian Attack, Unzicker Attack is ECO B09. ECO codes group openings by their move order, so nearby codes cover closely related lines of the Pirc Defense.

Is the Austrian Attack, Unzicker Attack good for White?

Stockfish evaluates the position after 1. e4 d6 2. d4 Nf6 3. Nc3 g6 4. f4 Bg7 5. Nf3 O-O 6. e5 at +0.29 at depth 18, which is a slight pull for White, within normal opening margins. Engine evaluation is only a starting point — at club level the practical value of a line is mostly about whether you know its plans better than your opponent does.

What kind of position does the Austrian Attack, Unzicker Attack lead to?

White holds the centre with pawns on d4 and e5, and one pawn capture is available, so the structure has not settled yet. Development is level at two minor pieces each. It is Black to move. Black has castled while White’s king is still uncommitted.