Sicilian Defense: Open Dragon and Amsterdam Grigoriev
Sicilian Defense
Definition
The Sicilian Defense arises after the moves 1.e4 c5. Black immediately contests the center from the flank rather than mirroring White’s 1.e4 with …e5. By doing so Black creates an asymmetrical pawn structure that promises dynamic counter-play, at the cost of accepting a slightly cramped position and a great deal of theory.
How it is used in play
The opening enjoys unparalleled popularity at every level, from scholastic tournaments to world-championship matches. Its staggering number of branches lets Black tailor a repertoire to personal taste—whether positional (e.g., the Scheveningen) or razor-sharp (e.g., the Dragon).
Strategic significance
- Queenside majority – Black often seeks …b5 and …b4 breaks.
- Dictated pawn structure – the central pawn on c5 means d6 and e6/e5 pivot squares are vital.
- Initiative trade-off – White usually attacks on the kingside; Black counters on the queenside and/or in the center.
Classic example
Kasparov-Anand, World Championship 1995 (Game 10) featured a Najdorf where Kasparov’s exchange sacrifice Rxc3 illuminated the dynamic potential offered by 1…c5.
Interesting facts
- Roughly one-third of all master-level games that begin 1.e4 enter a Sicilian.
- Bobby Fischer, who often preferred 1.e4, called 1…c5 “the best reply to 1.e4.”
Open Sicilian
Definition
The term “Open Sicilian” covers positions that occur after White plays the central pawn break d2-d4 and recaptures with a knight, yielding the characteristic structure:
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 (or other) 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4
Practical use
White’s early d4 trades one central pawn for Black’s c-pawn, hoping to exploit the extra space granted by the resulting pawn on e4. Black chooses a sub-system—Najdorf, Dragon, Sveshnikov, et al.—to challenge that plan.
Theoretical importance
Because both sides commit early, the Open Sicilian is the most theory-dense battleground in chess. A modern grandmaster repertoire easily runs to hundreds of pages of preparation.
Example position
Anecdote
During his 1.e4-e5 period, Magnus Carlsen quipped that studying the Open Sicilian “requires a second hard drive.”
Dragon Variation
Definition
The Dragon is a ferociously sharp branch of the Open Sicilian characterized by Black fianchettoing the dark-squared bishop:
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 g6
The bishop on g7 breathes fire down the long diagonal, giving the line its mythic name—coined by Fyodor Dus-Chotimirsky, who thought the pawn structure resembled a dragon’s tail.
Main plans
- White (Yugoslav Attack) – castle long, h2-h4-h5 pawn storm, Bc4, Qd2, Bh6; sacrifice on h5/h6.
- Black – counter on the c-file with …Rc8, …Qa5, and push …d5 to break the center.
Famous encounters
Karpov-Korchnoi, Candidates 1974, showed the strategic richness of quieter Classical Dragon lines, while Topalov-Kasparov, Wijk aan Zee 1999, illustrated the tactical mayhem of the modern Yugoslav.
Fun fact
The ECO codes B70-B79 are reserved exclusively for Dragon sub-variations.
Classical Variation (of the Dragon)
Definition
Also called the “Be2 Dragon,” the Classical Variation occurs after:
…g6 6.Be2 Bg7 7.O-O O-O
White refrains from the all-out Yugoslav Attack and instead opts for solid development with Be2 and O-O.
Strategic ideas
- White maintains flexibility—can play f4 (Levenfish-style), h3-Be3-Qd2, or even f3 & g4 in some positions.
- Black enjoys quicker kingside safety and often breaks with …d5 under more favorable circumstances than in Yugoslav lines.
Illustrative game
Geller – Fischer, Curaçao 1962, featured the Classical setup and demonstrated Fischer’s adept handling of the long-diagonal pressure after his novelty 13…d5!.
Amsterdam Variation (within the Classical Dragon)
Definition
The Amsterdam Variation is a sub-branch of the Classical Dragon in which White expands on the kingside with an early h-pawn thrust:
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 g6 6.Be2 Bg7 7.O-O O-O 8.Be3 Nc6 9.h3
The line was popularized during the 1954 Amsterdam Interzonal, hence its name. White’s 9.h3 (sometimes accompanied by f4 afterwards) keeps …Ng4 at bay and prepares g2-g4 in certain attacking schemes.
Typical plans
- White: g4-g5 pawn storm or a restrained center followed by Qd2 and Bh6.
- Black: …d5 break or queenside expansion with …a6-…b5 whenever the center allows.
Historical note
David Bronstein employed 9.h3 against Kotov in Amsterdam 1954, scoring a memorable win and introducing the idea into elite praxis.
Grigoriev Variation (of the Amsterdam/Classical Dragon)
Definition
The Grigoriev Variation arises after Black immediately challenges White’s h-pawn expansion with …h5.
Main line: 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 g6 6.Be2 Bg7 7.O-O O-O 8.Be3 Nc6 9.h3 h5
Named for Russian theoretician Nikolai Grigoriev, the idea is to halt g2-g4 in its tracks, fixing the kingside pawn structure early.
Strategic themes
- By playing …h5, Black creates an outpost on h4 for the knight and prepares …Kh7-Bh6 to exchange dark-squared bishops.
- The pawn on h5 can, however, become a hook for White sacrifices (e.g., Bxh5) if Black later castles long or overextends.
Model fragment
Anecdote
During a 2012 training camp, GM Peter Svidler pointed out that computers initially dislike …h5 but “change their minds after fifteen plies,” underscoring the move’s deep strategic rather than tactical justification.