Sicilian Defense: Accelerated Dragon, Exchange Variation
Sicilian Defense: Accelerated Dragon
Definition
The Accelerated Dragon is a variation of the Sicilian Defense that arises after the moves 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 g6. Black fianchettoes the king-side bishop on g7 without first playing …d6, aiming to strike in the center with …d5 in a single move. By omitting …d6, Black gains a crucial tempo over the “classical” Dragon (…d6, …g6, …Bg7), avoids many lines of the Yugoslav Attack, and keeps the option of …d7–d5 in one go.
Typical Move Order
Most common sequence:
- 1. e4 c5
- 2. Nf3 Nc6
- 3. d4 cxd4
- 4. Nxd4 g6
- 5. Nc3 Bg7
- 6. Be3 Nf6 (or 6…Nf6 7. Bc4 0-0)
The move 4…g6 is the defining moment—Black accelerates the Dragon-style fianchetto.
Strategic Ideas
- Central Thrust …d5: The delayed …d6 keeps the d-pawn flexible. If Black achieves …d5 under favorable circumstances, equality is usually assured.
- Control of the Dark Squares: The bishop on g7 becomes a long-range monster pointed at the center and queenside.
- Counter-Attacking Style: Black often allows White a broad pawn center (e4–d4) and then undermines it.
- Transpositional Weapon: Depending on White’s set-up, the game can transpose to a main-line Dragon, a Hedgehog, or even certain Maroczy Bind structures after c4.
Historical Notes
The name “Accelerated Dragon” was popularized in the mid-20th century as theoreticians noticed that skipping …d6 “accelerated” Black’s development. Grandmasters such as Bent Larsen and Gennady Sosonko employed it regularly, while modern stars (e.g., Magnus Carlsen, Maxime Vachier-Lagrave) still wheel it out as a surprise weapon.
Illustrative Game
Carlsen – Radjabov, Tal Memorial 2012: White tried the Maroczy Bind with 5.c4, but Black achieved the freeing …d5 and drew comfortably.
Interesting Facts
- The ECO code for the core Accelerated Dragon lines is B34–B39.
- Unlike the Dragon, there is no so-called Yugoslav Attack with Bc4, f3, Qd2, and long castling—because Black can answer an early Bc4 with …d7–d5, equalizing.
- In blitz and rapid, the Accelerated Dragon is loved for its pre-set piece placement: players can make several natural moves quickly.
Sicilian Defense: Accelerated Dragon, Exchange Variation
Definition
The Exchange Variation of the Accelerated Dragon begins when White captures on c6 with the knight: 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 g6 5. Nxc6. After 5…bxc6, Black accepts doubled c-pawns but gains the bishop pair and open b-file. The variation is considered positionally sound for Black, with symmetrical pawn structures and fewer attacking dangers than in sharper systems.
Main Line
- 1. e4 c5
- 2. Nf3 Nc6
- 3. d4 cxd4
- 4. Nxd4 g6
- 5. Nxc6 bxc6
- 6. Bd3 (or 6.Qd4, 6.c4, 6.Be2) Bg7
- 7. O-O d6
Black’s typical set-up continues with …Nf6, …O-O and a timely …d5 or …e5 break.
Strategic Themes
- Doubled c-Pawns vs. Bishop Pair: White inflicts structural damage, yet concedes the dark-squared bishop. In many endgames, Black’s bishops dominate.
- Open b-File: The rook often lands on b8, generating counterplay against b2 and along the second rank after …Rb4.
- Pawn Center: White may try c4 & Nc3 to fix the c6-pawn, but Black aims for …d5 to liberate the position.
Typical Plans
- For White
- Rapid development, castle short, and place rooks on e1 and d1.
- Provoke weaknesses on the queenside by targeting c6 and a7.
- For Black
- Finish development (…Bg7, …Nf6, …O-O) and prepare …d5.
- Exploit the two bishops; the dark-squared bishop can emerge via a6 or b7.
- Apply pressure down the b-file (…Rb8, …Qa5).
Historical & Practical Significance
The Exchange Variation has never captured the limelight like the Maroczy Bind but remains a respected “anti-Accelerated” choice. It was prominent in the 1970s after Anatoly Karpov used it in training games, only to switch as he felt Black equalized too easily.
Model Game
Anand – Gelfand, World Championship Candidates, Kazan 2011: Black’s timely …d5 freed his game, and the bishops secured a comfortable draw.
Interesting Nuggets
- The line is occasionally dubbed the “Fischer Variation” in older literature because 11-year-old Bobby Fischer tried it at the 1954 US Junior Championship.
- Grandmasters Jordan van Foreest and Jeffery Xiong have modernized the line, showing that even computer prep doesn’t refute Black’s structure.
- Because both queens often stay on the board and the pawn structure is nearly symmetrical, the Exchange Variation is a popular “insurance line” when a draw with Black suffices.