ECO B70 · for Black
Sicilian Defense: Dragon Variation
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.
1,259,411 games in this band reached the Dragon Variation position. From there Black won 49% and drew 4%.
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. O-O-O Bd7 10. g4 Rc8
Moves 1 to 2
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6
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... d6
Preventing white from playing e5 so that the knight can be developed to f6.
Moves 3 to 4
3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6
3. d4
Advancing the pawn to d4 is the Open Sicilian, aiming to control the center and open lines for the pieces. This move also prepares for a quick development of the bishop and queen.
3... cxd4
Capturing the pawn on d4 is the main line of the Sicilian Defense, aiming to trade a central pawn for a bishop's pawn and open up the c-file for future rook activity.
4. Nxd4
Recapturing the pawn, centralizing the knight and preparing for rapid development and kingside castling.
4... Nf6
Developing the knight to a natural square, preparing to castle kingside and putting pressure on the e4 pawn.
Moves 5 to 6
5. Nc3 g6 6. Be3 Bg7
5. Nc3
Developing the knight to a natural square, preparing to castle kingside and controlling the center. This move also opens up the possibility for the bishop to be developed to either e2 or d3.
5... g6
Preparing to fianchetto the bishop on g7, which will put pressure on the center.
6. Be3
Developing the bishop and continuing with the plan of castling queenside and launching a kingside attack.
- 6. Bg5: Developing the dark-squared bishop and threatening to take the knight. This is not a very common move and is generally played in the Najdorf Sicilian not the Dragon.
- 6. Bc4: Developing the bishop and preparing to castle.
6... Bg7
Placing the bishop on the long diagonal to pressure the dark squares in the center and the queenside.
Moves 7 to 8
7. f3 O-O 8. Qd2 Nc6
7. f3
Reinforcing the e4 pawn and preventing Ng4.
7... O-O
Castling kingside and preparing to attack on the queenside.
8. Qd2
Allowing for idea of Bh6 and also allowing White to castle queenside and launch an attack on the Black king.
- 8. Bc4: Developing the light-squared bishop and fighting for control of the d5 square. This prevents Black from playing d5.
8... Nc6
Developing the knight and preparing to attack the White king.
Moves 9 to 10
9. O-O-O Bd7 10. g4 Rc8
9. O-O-O
Castling queenside and getting ready to launch an attack on Black's king.
- 9. Bc4: Developing the bishop and preventing Black from playing d5. White will launch an attack on the kingside while Black will launch an attack on the queenside.
9... Bd7
10. g4
10... Rc8
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 rook on c8 typically captures the knight on c3
- The knight on c6 often goes to c4, via e5
- The queen often goes to c7, via a5
- Common pawn moves are h5 and b5
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