user20903: I am learning the Pirc Defense as black. I am a bit confused when after 1.e4 d6 white plays 2.Nf3. Are they forcing me to transpose into a Sicilian with 2... c5? I kind of like the Sicilian Dragon, so I guess I could play that (if they play 3.d4). But I am still curious what is the best way to avoid the Sicilian?
[FEN ""]

1. e4 d6 2. Nf3


user4418: White can't force you to play the Sicilian. That is completely your choice. After 1. e4 d6 2. Nf3 there is no reason whatsoever that you cannot continue with the Pirc if you so wish by playing 2...g6.
A more flexible second move for Black would be 2...Nf6 attacking the e4 pawn.
How is White going to defend it? If White plays 3. Nc3 then you can continue with 3...g6 and your Pirc or you can play 3...e5 aiming for a Philidor.
If White defends the e4 pawn with 3. d3 then it looks like White wants to play the Kings Indian Attack. You can't stop this and so you would do well to have some plans what to do against this as it can be quite tricky.

20903: <p>I am learning the Pirc Defense as black. I am a bit confused when after 1.e4 d6 white plays 2.Nf3. Are they forcing me to transpose into a Sicilian with 2... c5? I kind of like the Sicilian Dragon, so I guess I could play that (if they play 3.d4). But I am still curious what is the best way to avoid the Sicilian?</p>
<pre><code>[FEN &quot;&quot;]

1. e4 d6 2. Nf3
</code></pre>
 4418: <p>White can't force you to play the Sicilian. That is completely your choice. After 1. e4 d6 2. Nf3 there is no reason whatsoever that you cannot continue with the Pirc if you so wish by playing 2...g6.</p>
<p>A more flexible second move for Black would be 2...Nf6 attacking the e4 pawn.</p>
<p>How is White going to defend it? If White plays 3. Nc3 then you can continue with 3...g6 and your Pirc or you can play 3...e5 aiming for a Philidor.</p>
<p>If White defends the e4 pawn with 3. d3 then it looks like White wants to play the Kings Indian Attack. You can't stop this and so you would do well to have some plans what to do against this as it can be quite tricky.</p>
