B73

Sicilian Defense: Dragon Variation, Classical 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.

Best Games

Kamsky,G vs Gashimov,V1/2-1/2
GRENKE Rapid WCh • 2010★ Notable
Kamsky,G vs Carlsen,M1-0
18th Amber Rapid • 2009★ Notable
Moussard,J vs Erigaisi,Arjun0-1
56th Biel GM Blitz 2023 • 2023
Kramnik,V vs Erigaisi,Arjun1-0
Satty Zhuldyz Blitz 2023 • 2023
Navara,D vs Erigaisi,Arjun0-1
Julius Baer GenCup Prelim • 2022
Kamsky,G vs Praggnanandhaa,R1-0
Djerba Blitz Masters KO • 2020
Kamsky,G vs Radjabov,T1/2-1/2
III Kings' Tournament • 2009
Navara,D vs Ivanchuk,V1/2-1/2
Cez Trophy Rapid • 2009
Short,N vs Motylev,A1/2-1/2
Corus B • 2009
Timman, Jan H vs Topalov, Veselin1/2-1/2
Novgorod • 1995
Adams, Michael vs Khalifman, Alexander0-1
Las Palmas • 1993
Illescas Cordoba, Miguel vs Ljubojevic, Ljubomir0-1
Bilbao • 1987
Timman, Jan H vs Ljubojevic, Ljubomir1/2-1/2
Bugojno • 1986
Ljubojevic, Ljubomir vs Van der Wiel, John TH1/2-1/2
Tilburg • 1984
Geller, Efim P vs Timman, Jan H1/2-1/2
Phillips&Drew • 1982
Jimenez Zerquera, Eleazar vs Larsen, Bent1/2-1/2
Palma de Mallorca Interzonal • 1970
Darga, Klaus vs Larsen, Bent0-1
Amsterdam Interzonal • 1964
Gukesh,D vs Henriquez Villagra,C1/2-1/2
World Rapid 2025 • 2025
Kamsky,G vs Korchmar,V1-0
Titled Tue 24th Dec Late • 2024
Kamsky,G vs Fernandez Estremera,Fernando1-0
Titled Tue 10th Dec Late • 2024

Explore More

All OpeningsAll Players