Sicilian Defense: Dragon Variation

ECO B70-B79advanced

The Dragon comes from 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 g6: Black fianchettoes the dark-squared bishop onto the long diagonal, where it becomes the most dangerous piece on the board. White's critical answer is the Yugoslav Attack (Be3, f3, Qd2, 0-0-0, then h4-h5), producing one of the purest attacking races in chess — White storms the kingside while Black sacrifices down the c-file. Knowing the move orders matters more here than in almost any other opening.

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Main line

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.

Diagram shows the position after 6 half-moves of the main line. On SpeakChess you can drill this line move by move — the trainer plays the other side and corrects you instantly, then spaced repetition schedules each variation so you review it right before you would forget it.

Move by move

The first 12 moves of the main line, explained one at a time. Every move of every variation is annotated like this inside the trainer — this page shows the opening moves so you can judge the explanations before signing up.

White's pawn steps boldly to e4, a light square right in the middle of the board. This is a strong first move that claims space and opens lines so the bishop on f1 and the queen on d1 can join the game later.
Black plays c5, advancing the pawn two squares from its starting square. This is the Sicilian Defense, a standard response that indirectly challenges White's center.
White moves their knight from g1 to f3. This is a good developing move that helps get your pieces into the game.
Black advances the pawn from d7 to d6. This supports the c5 pawn and controls the e5 square, preparing for the development of the king's bishop.
Pushing the pawn to d4, White grabs even more of the center on this dark square. Now two pawns stand proudly on d4 and e4, building a nice wide home in the middle while the knight rests on f3.
Black's pawn marches over to d4, landing on that dark square in the heart of the board. It now sits next to Black's other pawn on d6, fighting for the important central squares.
The knight moves from f3 to d4, capturing a pawn. This centralizes the knight, controlling key squares.
Black moves their knight from g8 to f6. This is a great developing move, which means you're bringing a piece out to help control the middle of the board!
The knight moves to c3, developing it from its starting square. This centralizes the knight and prepares for further activity in the opening.
Black moves a pawn from the g7 square to g6. This is a good, solid move to start making space for your pieces.
White moves their bishop from c1 to e3. This is a good developing move that brings the bishop into the game.
Black moves their bishop from f8 to g7. This is a good developing move, getting a strong piece into the game!

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Win rates by rating

Results from real online games, measured after the line shown in each row. Most opening sites show one aggregate number — how an opening scores depends heavily on who is playing it.

Rating	Games	White wins	Draws	Black wins	Position after
400-600	109	48.6%	4.6%	46.8%	1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6
600-800	65	36.9%	6.2%	56.9%	1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 g6 6.Be3 Bg7
800-1000	602	45.3%	3%	51.7%	1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 g6 6.Be3 Bg7
1000-1200	298	50.3%	4%	45.6%	1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 g6 6.Be3 Bg7
1200-1400	9,831	51.1%	2.8%	46%	1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 g6 6.Be3 Bg7
1400-1600	24,890	50.3%	3.3%	46.4%	1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 g6 6.Be3 Bg7
1600-1800	5,048	49.3%	4%	46.8%	1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 g6 6.Be3 Bg7
1800-2000	8,613	48.8%	4.3%	46.9%	1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 g6 6.Be3 Bg7
2000-2200	9,884	47.2%	5.5%	47.4%	1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 g6 6.Be3 Bg7
2200-2400	6,338	46.6%	6%	47.4%	1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 g6 6.Be3 Bg7

Most played continuations (1400-1600 rating)

After 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 g6 6.Be3 Bg7:

f3 — played 29.1% of the time (White wins 57.3%, draws 3.3%, Black wins 39.5%)
Qd2 — played 23.3% of the time (White wins 49.6%, draws 3.3%, Black wins 47.1%)
Bc4 — played 13.2% of the time (White wins 47.1%, draws 3.7%, Black wins 49.2%)

Related openings

Frequently asked questions

Is the Sicilian Dragon refuted?

No. The Yugoslav Attack scores well in practice and demands precision from Black, but theory holds: the modern ...Qa5/...Rfc8 and Topalov's ...Re8 systems are sound. What is true is that Black cannot improvise — one slow move against h4-h5 can lose by force.

What is Black's plan in the Dragon?

Counterattack on the c-file and the long diagonal: ...Rc8, the thematic exchange sacrifice ...Rxc3 wrecking White's queenside pawns, and the ...Nc4 outpost. If Black's attack lands first, the g7 bishop often decides the game; trading it off is White's dream.