Opening course · B70 to B79
Learn the Sicilian Dragon
The Sicilian Dragon starts with 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 g6. A bishop on g7, the open c-file and a race against White’s king.
- You play Black
- Advanced
- Rated about 1400 to 2700
What you will learn
- 1 The idea 3 steps
- 2 Main line 18 steps
- 3 Key variations 4 steps
- 4 Traps 2 steps
- 5 Plans and middlegames 4 steps
- 6 Test yourself 10 steps
Key ideas
- …g6 and …Bg7: the bishop aims at the queenside.
- Never …Ng4 against Be3 before f3: Bb5+ wins it.
- …Ne5, …Rc8 and …Nc4 trade off the dangerous bishop.
- …h5 slows White’s h-pawn.
Traps you will see
- The knight on g4 Set by White
- The rook in the corner Set by Black
Model games
- Viswanathan Anand Garry Kasparov PCA World Championship, New York · 1995
- Teimour Radjabov Magnus Carlsen FIDE Grand Prix, Baku · 2008
Questions
Is the Sicilian Dragon good for beginners?
It is an advanced choice, best from about 1400. If you are new, learn a simpler opening first.
What are the first moves of the Sicilian Dragon?
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 g6.
How long is the course?
6 chapters with 41 steps, each played out on the board with your coach.
Which traps does the course cover?
- The knight on g4
- The rook in the corner