ECO B34 · for Black
Sicilian Defense: Accelerated Dragon
The line below is what Lichess 1600-1800 players actually play: after the opening's defining moves, each move is the most common choice at that point. The notes are Chessbook's move notes, the same ones shown while building a repertoire.
2,846,759 games in this band reached the Accelerated Dragon position. From there Black won 48% and drew 4%.
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 g6 5. Nc3 Bg7 6. Be3 Nf6 7. f3 O-O 8. Qd2 d5 9. exd5 Nxd5 10. Nxd5 Qxd5 11. Nxc6
Moves 1 to 2
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6
1. e4
"Best by test" according to Bobby Fisher.
1... c5
A counter-attacking opening. The asymmetry generally leads to sharp games.
2. Nf3
2... Nc6
Developing a knight to its most natural square, but potentially blocking the c-pawn. This move can lead to the Sveshnikov or Accelerated Dragon lines.
Moves 3 to 4
3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 g6
3. d4
Breaking in the center, the main line of the Classical Sicilian.
3... cxd4
Exchanging pawns, practically the only good move.
4. Nxd4
Recapturing the pawn, this is the Open Sicilian.
4... g6
Fianchettoing the bishop to pressure the central dark squares and queenside.
Moves 5 to 6
5. Nc3 Bg7 6. Be3 Nf6
5. Nc3
Developing the knight while helping to control the center.
- 5. Nxc6: Capturing the knight on c6 to remove Black's one developed piece. White could play a move like Qd4 next to attack the rook on a8.
- 5. Be3: Developing the bishop and supporting the d4 knight. Black will play Bg7 and after either Nc3 or c4 this will be a normal Dragon Sicilian or a Maróczy Bind.
5... Bg7
Placing the bishop on the long diagonal where it pressuring the dark squares along the diagonal.
6. Be3
Developing the bishop and supporting the knight on d4, while aiming to continue by castling queenside and attacking on the kingside.
6... Nf6
Developing the knight and pressuring the white center while preparing to castle.
Moves 7 to 8
7. f3 O-O 8. Qd2 d5
7. f3
Strengthening the center and preparing a much later kingside attack. Often in the Dragon Sicilian White will play for an attack with h4 and g4.
- 7. Bc4: Developing the bishop. White will plan to attack on the kingside while Black attacks on the queenside.
7... O-O
Castling kingside with the plan of breaking in the center with d5 if possible.
8. Qd2
Preparing to castle kingside and also allowing for the possibility of trading off dark-squared bishops with Bh6.
8... d5
Breaking in the center and opening up the position while White’s king remains uncastled.
Moves 9 to 11
9. exd5 Nxd5 10. Nxd5 Qxd5 11. Nxc6
9. exd5
9... Nxd5
10. Nxd5
10... Qxd5
11. Nxc6
Plans for Black in this position
What Black usually does from here in Chessbook's games data. Hover a move to see it on the board.
- The queen on d5 or pawn on b7 typically captures the knight on c6
- The pawn on c6 generally recaptures the queen on d5
- The kingside rook usually develops to d8
- The light-squared bishop can develop to f5 or e6
- A common pawn move is a5
Related opening guides
- Sicilian Defense for Black
- French Defense for Black
- Scandinavian Defense for Black
- Caro-Kann Defense for Black
- Scandinavian Defense: Mieses-Kotroc Variation for Black
- Philidor Defense for Black