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| Moves | 1.e4 d6 2.d4 Nf6 3.Nc3 g6 4.f4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| ECO | B09 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Parent | Pirc Defence | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
TheAustrian Attack is achess opening characterised by the following moves:
The opening is a variation of thePirc Defence. After 4...Bg7, typical continuations include themain line 5.Nf3 0-0, an immediatekingside attack with 5.e5 Nfd7, or aqueenside counterattack with 5.Nf3 c5.
The Pirc Defence is one of severalhypermodern responses to the opening move1.e4. The aim of the Austrian Attack is to take advantage of Black's hypermodern approach by establishing a broad pawn centre early in the game. The general strategy for White is to use the pawn on f4 to support a breakthrough with e4–e5.[1] Black will oftencastle early and attempt to find counterplay with c7–c5, or in some cases, e7–e5,[2] or thedevelopment of the queenside knight.[3]
TheChessgames.com master game database records approximately 1,850 games which opened with the Austrian Attack. Of those games, White won 39.4%, Black won 28%, and the remaining 32.6% weredraws.[4]Siegbert Tarrasch successfully employed the Austrian Attack againstRudolf Charousek in 1896, securing a win in just 17 moves.[5]Edward Lasker unsuccessfully used the opening againstMiguel Najdorf, resigning after 42 moves.[6] In 1952,Isaac Boleslavsky tried the opening againstVasja Pirc (after whom the Pirc Defence is named), but they agreed to a draw after move 62.[7]
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In the 17th game of the1972 World Chess Championship,Boris Spassky opened with 1.e4.Bobby Fischer responded with the Pirc Defence, for the only time in his career.[8] Spassky played the Austrian Attack. The game proceeded as follows:
By playing 21...Qe5 instead of 21...Rf8–c8, Fischer offered theexchange sacrifice as a means of blunting Spassky's kingside attack. The game ended on move 45 owing todraw by agreement despite Spassky having a slight material advantage.[8][9]
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