Answers.Body: <p>Compare that position with other variations where White does not allow ...Bg4 to be played. Black often struggles with the development of the c8 bishop.</p>
  
  <p>Also, the central dark squares are indeed a target, so ...Bg4 is clearly helping there (what else could he possibly do in a different square?) Pawn breaks with ...e5 or ...c5 are a possibility as well</p>
  
Answers.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 4.0
Answers.CreationDate: 2019-08-26T13:24:34.137Z
Answers.LastActivityDate: 2019-08-26T13:24:34.137Z
Answers.UserDisplayName: David
Body: <p>I am having trouble understanding a move studied in an opening book. The move is Bg4 in the Pirc defence in this position.
  <a href="https://i.sstatic.net/BkkSr.jpg" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/BkkSr.jpg" alt=""></a></p>
  
  <p>What is the point of aiming to exchange the bishop on f3? The point d4 does not seem to be the reason.</p>
  
Comments.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 4.0
Comments.CreationDate: 2019-08-26T12:47:09.753Z
Comments.Text: Yes, sorry. I will correct that.
Comments.UserDisplayName: Maths64
Comments.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 4.0
Comments.CreationDate: 2019-08-26T13:19:52.917Z
Comments.Text: Why do you say that the point on d4 is not the reason? It is the natural target for the bishop on g7, and even if there is no immediate threat to d4 an exchange on f3 would still weaken d4. Even if d4 is not the only reason for Bg4, it is still at least *a* reason.
Comments.UserDisplayName: John Coleman
Comments.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 4.0
Comments.CreationDate: 2019-08-26T22:47:44.267Z
Comments.Text: See this as an opportunity to play Be3 without having to worry about Black playing Ng4
Comments.UserDisplayName: Patrick Coulombe
Comments.ContentLicense: CC BY-SA 4.0
Comments.CreationDate: 2019-08-27T09:02:30.180Z
Comments.Text: @JohnColeman Indeed  - d4 is Black's main target here, after Nc6 and e5.
Comments.UserDisplayName: Ian Bush
Tags: <analysis>
Title: The move Bg4 in the Pirc defense
ThreadText: # The move Bg4 in the Pirc defense
  
  (Asked by: username_0 on 2019-08-26)
  
  I am having trouble understanding a move studied in an opening book. The move is Bg4 in the Pirc defence in this position.
  [![](https://i.sstatic.net/BkkSr.jpg)](https://i.sstatic.net/BkkSr.jpg)
  
  What is the point of aiming to exchange the bishop on f3? The point d4 does not seem to be the reason.
  
  **Tags:** analysis
  
  > **Comments:**
  > **username_0**: Yes, sorry. I will correct that.  
  > **username_1**: Why do you say that the point on d4 is not the reason? It is the natural target for the bishop on g7, and even if there is no immediate threat to d4 an exchange on f3 would still weaken d4. Even if d4 is not the only reason for Bg4, it is still at least *a* reason.  
  > **username_2**: See this as an opportunity to play Be3 without having to worry about Black playing Ng4  
  > **username_3**: @JohnColeman Indeed  - d4 is Black's main target here, after Nc6 and e5.  
  
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  ## 1 answers
  
  ### Answer by username_4 on 2019-08-26. Score: 4 | Accepted answer
  
  Compare that position with other variations where White does not allow ...Bg4 to be played. Black often struggles with the development of the c8 bishop.
  
  Also, the central dark squares are indeed a target, so ...Bg4 is clearly helping there (what else could he possibly do in a different square?) Pawn breaks with ...e5 or ...c5 are a possibility as well
  
  
  ---
  
  