B79

Sicilian Defense: Dragon Variation, Yugoslav Attack

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

Ivanchuk, Vassily vs Kamsky, Gata0-1
Amber-blind 3rd • 1994★ Notable
Aijala, Jouko vs Ljubojevic, Ljubomir0-1
WchT U26 • 1969★ Notable
Firouzja,Alireza vs Wijesinghe,N L C Dojitha1-0
World Youth U16 Olympiad • 2018
Beliavsky, Alexander G vs Velimirovic, Dragoljub1-0
Szirak Interzonal • 1987
Byrne, Robert E vs Kortschnoj, Viktor0-1
Sousse Interzonal • 1967
Matulovic, Milan vs Kortschnoj, Viktor1-0
Sousse Interzonal • 1967
Bouaziz, Slim vs Geller, Efim P0-1
Sousse Interzonal • 1967
Cooke,E vs Rapport,R1-0
FSIM December • 2007
Karjakin,Sergey vs Vocaturo,D1-0
21st ECC • 2005
Lastin,A vs Khalifman,A0-1
58th ch-RUS Semi-Final • 2005
Barendse,T vs Carlsen,M0-1
GMC • 2004
Carlsen,M vs Taylor,T1-0
FSGM December • 2003
Karjakin,S vs Wu Li1-0
WYB12 • 2001
Leko, Peter vs Oltra Caurin, Ramon1-0
Oviedo rapid • 1993
Tatai, Stefano vs Beliavsky, Alexander G1-0
Le Havre • 1977
Karpov, Anatoly vs Garcia Martinez, Silvino1-0
Portoroz/Ljubljana • 1975
Ree, Hans vs Tal, Mihail1/2-1/2
Hoogovens • 1973
Karpov, Anatoly vs Whiteley, Andrew J1-0
EU-chT • 1973
Bronstein, David I vs Parma, Bruno1-0
Moscow • 1971
Najdorf, Miguel vs Pelikan, Jorge1-0
ARG-ch • 1968

Explore More

All OpeningsAll Players