B70
Sicilian Defense: Dragon Variation
Key moves: 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 g6
The Dragon Variation is one of the sharpest openings in chess. Black fianchettoes the bishop to g7, creating a "dragon" diagonal aimed at White's queenside. The Yugoslav Attack (Be3, Qd2, O-O-O) leads to some of the most violent attacking games in chess.
History & Notable Players
Named because the pawn structure supposedly resembles the constellation Draco. The Dragon has been a battleground for attacking players throughout chess history.
Top Players in this Opening
Related Openings
B71 - Sicilian Defense: Dragon Variation, Levenfish Variation31B72 - Sicilian Defense: Dragon Variation115B73 - Sicilian Defense: Dragon Variation, Classical Variation105B74 - Sicilian Defense: Dragon Variation, Classical Variation, Normal Line68B75 - Sicilian Defense: Dragon Variation, Yugoslav Attack, Belezky Line61B76 - Sicilian Defense: Dragon Variation, Yugoslav Attack298B77 - Sicilian Defense: Dragon Variation, Yugoslav Attack95B78 - Sicilian Defense: Dragon Variation, Yugoslav Attack136B79 - Sicilian Defense: Dragon Variation, Yugoslav Attack21
Best Games
Gukesh,D vs Erigaisi,Arjun0-1
Tata Steel India Blitz 2022Notable
Nepomniachtchi,I vs Grischuk,A1/2-1/2
Tal Memorial Blitz 2014 2014Notable
Nepomniachtchi,I vs Nakamura,Hi1/2-1/2
6th Tal Memorial 2011Notable
Leon Hoyos,M vs So,W1/2-1/2
WCh-Junior 2008Notable
Khalifman,A vs Leko,P1/2-1/2
FIDE WCh KO 2000Notable
Ivanchuk,V vs Gelfand,B1/2-1/2
Amber Blindfold 2000Notable
Ljubojevic, Ljubomir vs Anand, Viswanathan1-0
Amber-rapid 7th 1998Notable
Adams, Michael vs Short, Nigel D1/2-1/2
FIDE-Wch k.o. 1997Notable
Kasimdzhanov, Rustam vs Georgiev, Vladimir0-1
Wch U20 1995Notable
Kundin, S. vs Aronian, Levon1/2-1/2
Wch U14 Disney 1995Notable
Anand, Viswanathan vs Topalov, Veselin0-1
Linares 1994Notable
Leko, Peter vs Turzo, Attila1-0
Wch U16 1994Notable
Kamsky, Gata vs Ljubojevic, Ljubomir1-0
Amber-blind 3rd 1994Notable
Kasimdzhanov, Rustam vs Mirzoev, Azer0-1
Wch U16 1993Notable
Moutousis, Konstantinos vs Shirov, Alexei0-1
Wch U20 1990Notable
Topalov, Veselin vs Desbones, Samy1-0
Wch U16 1990Notable
Anand, Viswanathan vs Hellers, Ferdinand1/2-1/2
Wch U20 1986Notable
Larsen, Bent vs Ivkov, Borislav1/2-1/2
Wch U20 qual 1953Notable
Caruana,F vs Grischuk,A1-0
World Blitz 2025 2025
Firouzja,Alireza vs Nakamura,Hi0-1
Titled Tue 12th Nov Early 2024