Sicilian Defence, Accelerated Dragon

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This article uses algebraic notation to describe chess moves.

Sicilian Defence, Accelerated Dragon

Moves

1.e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 g6

ECO

B32-B34

Parent

Sicilian Defence

Synonym(s)

Accelerated Fianchetto

Chessgames.com opening explorer

In chess, one of the main variations of the Sicilian Defence, the Dragon variation^[1]

The Accelerated Dragon or Accelerated Fianchetto is a variant of the Sicilian Defence, a chess opening.

1. e4 c5

2. Nf3 Nc6

3. d4 cxd4

4. Nxd4 g6

The Accelerated Dragon features an early ...g6 from Black. An important difference between this line and the Dragon is that Black avoids playing ...d7-d6, so that he can later play ...d7-d5 in one move if possible. Black also avoids the Yugoslav attack, but since White has not been forced to play Nc3 yet, 5.c4 (Maróczy Bind) is possible. Generally, this opening features a more positional style of play, unlike many of the other Sicilian variations.

The Accelerated Dragon after 7.Bc4

The main variation continues:

5.Nc3 Bg7

6.Be3 Nf6

7.Bc4

At this point the most important black answers are 7...0-0 and 7...Qa5.

7... 0-0 8.Bb3

If white plays 8.0-0 or 8.f3, black wins a pawn. For example, 8.0-0 Nxe4, 9.Nxe4 d5, and 8.f3 Qb6. After, 8.Bb3 black can try to put pressure on the defenders of d5.