Pirc Alert! Revised & Updated 2nd Edition: A Complete Defense Against 1.e4

This Pirc Alert! Revised & Updated 2nd Edition: A Complete Defense Against 1.e4 is an instructional chess opening book for players building a complete Black repertoire against 1.e4, with a clear focus on the ideas, plans and typical structures behind the moves.

What the book covers

Written by grandmasters Lev Alburt and Alex Chernin, it centres on the Pirc Defence and related setups against White’s most popular first move. The book also includes Modern Defence ideas where they fit, giving you a broader and more flexible way to approach the opening.

Instead of asking you to memorise long lines, it explains the logic of the positions and the themes that matter in practical play. That makes it especially useful for players who want a serious repertoire without getting buried in theory.

What is new in this edition?

This is the revised and updated 2nd edition. It reflects newer theory and does not avoid important developments, including ideas that were not previously seen in practice. As a result, it works both as an introduction to the opening and as a way to refresh an existing repertoire.

The presentation is designed to make study easier. Key ideas and positions are highlighted, chapters open with clear introductions, and the included Memory Markers help reinforce what you have learned. With nearly 1,000 diagrams, it is also easy to follow away from the board.

Key details

• Product type: chess opening book
• Edition: revised and updated 2nd edition
• Authors: Lev Alburt and Alex Chernin
• Opening: Pirc Defence
• Opening coverage: Modern Defence ideas are also included
• Focus: complete Black repertoire against 1.e4
• Study aid: Memory Markers
• Illustrations: nearly 1,000 diagrams