← Pirc / Modern Defense

Practice: Byrne Variation (4.Bg5)

Pinning the knight early

White pins the Nf6 with Bg5 before advancing e5. Leads to sharp play where Black must carefully navigate the central tension.

1. e4 d6
2. d4 Nf6
3. Nc3 g6
4. Bg5 Bg7
5. e5 dxe5
6. dxe5 Nd5
7. Nf3 O-O
8. Bc4 Nxc3
9. bxc3 c6
♟

Interactive practice board - requires JavaScript.

Use a chess board to memorise this line move by move. Your moves are checked against the correct sequence, with hints, a streak goal, and progress tracking.

Enable JavaScript or return to the opening page to see all available lines.

Key strategic ideas

  • Black plays ...d6 and ...Nf6, letting White build a big centre. Black then plans to undermine it with ...c5 or ...e5.
  • The main difference from the King's Indian is that Black does not commit to ...g6 immediately, keeping more options open.
  • White's most dangerous plan is the Austrian Attack (4.f4). White builds a massive centre and attacks directly on the kingside.

Common mistakes & traps

  • In the Austrian Attack (1.e4 d6 2.d4 Nf6 3.Nc3 g6 4.f4 Bg7 5.Nf3 O-O 6.e5!), the pawn push can catch Black off guard. If Black captures 6...dxe5 7.dxe5 Ng4 8.Bc4, White has a dangerous attack.
  • The Classical line (4.Nf3 Bg7 5.Be2 O-O 6.O-O) looks quiet, but Black must not play passively. Playing ...Bg4 and ...Nc6 with ...e5 is the correct way to counter.

Pawn structure notes

White has an e4-d4 centre against Black's d6. The centre can explode with ...e5 or ...c5 breaks. Black's king is well hidden behind the g6 pawn and Bg7 bishop.

Tips

  • 4.Bg5 pins the knight and pressures Black's centre defence
  • After 5.e5, the position opens up with tactical possibilities for both sides
  • A favourite of players who want a more tactical alternative to the Classical System

About this line

This line is rated advanced. Practice it repeatedly until you can play the entire sequence without thinking. The in-app trainer tracks your perfect streaks and celebrates milestones.