Sicilian Dragon

ECO B70–B79 · Level: Advanced · Also known as: Dragon, Yugoslav Saldırısı

In the Dragon, Black fianchettoes the bishop on g7, where it breathes fire down the long diagonal at White's queenside. It is one of the sharpest lines in chess.

Position at the end of the main line

Main line

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 g6

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History

The name comes from the resemblance of Black's pawn structure to the Draco constellation. In the Yugoslav Attack both sides attack the opposing king.

White's plan

  • Yugoslav Attack: Be3, f3, Qd2, long castling and h4-h5 to open the h-file.
  • Trade off Black's g7 bishop with Bh6, leaving the king exposed.

Black's plan

  • The g7 bishop works along the long diagonal towards White's king.
  • Rook on the c-file, the ...Ne5-c4 manoeuvre and the exchange sacrifice on c3 are typical weapons.

Key variations

Yugoslav Attack

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 g6 6.Be3 Bg7 7.f3 O-O 8.Qd2 Nc6 9.Bc4 Bd7 10.O-O-O

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Classical Dragon

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 g6 6.Be2 Bg7 7.O-O O-O

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Accelerated Dragon

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 g6 5.Nc3 Bg7

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Who should play it?

For tactically strong players who are not afraid of mutual king attacks.

Frequently asked questions

Has the Dragon been refuted?

No, but Black must play very precisely against the Yugoslav Attack, so it is rarer at the top level.

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Related openings

  • Sicilian Defence — The Sicilian Defence (1.e4 c5) contests the centre from the flank with the c-pawn, creating unbalanced positions with real winning chances.
  • Sicilian Najdorf — The Najdorf is the most famous and deepest Sicilian line.
  • Pirc Defence — The Pirc Defence cedes the centre to White, fianchettoes the bishop on g7 and attacks the centre later.

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