The Chinese Variation is a variation of the Pirc Defense, catalogued as ECO B07. The line runs 1. e4 d6 2. d4 Nf6 3. Nc3 g6 4. Be2 Bg7 5. g4, reaching the position shown below after 9 half-moves.
White holds the centre with pawns on d4 and e4. Development is level at two minor pieces each. It is Black to move after five moves.
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.
See all 17 Pirc Defense variations →
The Chinese Variation goes 1. e4 d6 2. d4 Nf6 3. Nc3 g6 4. Be2 Bg7 5. g4. It is a variation of the Pirc Defense and is catalogued as ECO B07.
The Chinese Variation is ECO B07. ECO codes group openings by their move order, so nearby codes cover closely related lines of the Pirc Defense.
Stockfish evaluates the position after 1. e4 d6 2. d4 Nf6 3. Nc3 g6 4. Be2 Bg7 5. g4 at +0.25 at depth 18, which is balanced. 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.
White holds the centre with pawns on d4 and e4. Development is level at two minor pieces each. It is Black to move.