Sicilian: Accelerated Dragon, Maróczy Bind, Gurgenidze
Sicilian Defense: Accelerated Dragon
Definition
The Accelerated Dragon is a variation of the Sicilian Defense in which Black fianchettoes the dark-squared bishop with ...g6 and ...Bg7 without first committing to ...d6. The word “Accelerated” refers to Black’s intention to play the central break ...d5 in a single move rather than the two-step ...d6–d5 seen in the classical Dragon.
Typical Move Order
The most common sequence is:
- 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 g6
- After 5. Nc3 Bg7 6. Be3 Nf6 Black has reached the tabiya of the main line.
- White’s alternative 5. c4 introduces the famous Maróczy Bind (see below).
Strategic Ideas
- Central Counterpunch: By holding back the king’s-bishop pawn, Black hopes to strike with ...d5 in one go, equalising space and freeing the position.
- Dark-Square Pressure: The long-diagonal bishop on g7 eyes e5, d4 and even b2, giving Black latent pressure against the centre and queenside.
- Piece Activity vs. Space: If White prevents ...d5 (most reliably with the Maróczy Bind), Black accepts a slightly cramped game in exchange for a solid structure and long-term counterplay on the dark squares.
Historical Background
The set-up was explored by Italian master Gioacchino Greco in the 17th century, but it gained modern recognition in the 1950s thanks to GMs Geller and Larsen. In the computer era it remains fashionable; Magnus Carlsen has employed it several times in elite play, notably against Anand in 2013 and 2014.
Illustrative Example
Kasparov–Short, Linares 1993 continued:
- 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 g6 5. c4 Bg7 6. Be3 Nf6 7. Nc3 Ng4 8. Qxg4 Nxd4 9. Qd1 – demonstrating Black’s tactic-laden play even against the Bind.
Interesting Facts
- The Accelerated Dragon avoids the Yugoslav Attack (with Bc4 and queenside castling) because Black has not played ...d6, eliminating key sacrifices on d5 and h6.
- In many databases the variation carries the ECO codes B34–B39.
- Anand prepared it for the 2008 World Championship but never got to use it; his seconds later revealed over 100 pages of analysis on one sub-line!
Maróczy Bind
Definition
The Maróczy Bind is a pawn structure (rather than a single opening) characterised by White pawns on c4 and e4 that clamp down on the central and queenside dark squares. It most frequently arises against the Sicilian Accelerated Dragon and certain lines of the English Opening and King’s Indian Defense.
Typical Ways to Reach the Bind
- 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 g6 5. c4 — the canonical formation versus the Accelerated Dragon.
- 1. c4 Nf6 2. Nc3 g6 3. e4 — the English/King’s Indian move order.
Strategic Themes
- Space Advantage: The pawns on c4 and e4 restrict Black’s ...d5 and ...b5 breaks, limiting counterplay.
- Slow Squeeze: White often maneuvers pieces behind the pawn wall (Nd2–f1–e3, Rc1, Be3) and prepares c5 or f4 breaks in the middlegame.
- Queenside Undermining: Black’s main plans revolve around ...a6–b5, piece exchanges, or timely ...d5 pawn sacrifices to free the position.
- Endgame Edge: If Black remains passive, simplified positions favour White because of the enduring space advantage.
Historical Background
Named after Hungarian grandmaster Géza Maróczy, who employed the setup in the early 1900s. Although Maróczy’s original games featured closed English positions, the structure became famous in Sicilian theory after the 1953 Candidates Tournament, where both Reshevsky and Szabo scored convincing wins with it.
Illustrative Games
- Maróczy vs. Marshall, Paris 1900 — the debut of the structure.
- Karpov vs. Spassky, Candidates 1974 — a textbook squeeze; Karpov slowly converted his spatial advantage.
- Carlsen vs. Giri, Wijk aan Zee 2012 — Black sacrificed a pawn with ...b5 ...d5 to break the bind, showing modern dynamic treatment.
Interesting Facts
- Statistical databases show that positions with the Maróczy Bind yield White an above-average score of roughly 58% in master practice.
- Despite its reputation for quiet manoeuvring, many sharp piece sacrifices by Black on c4 or d5 have been discovered by modern engines.
- The structure is so respected that some Accelerated Dragon specialists deliberately transpose to the regular Dragon with ...d6 just to steer play away from it!
Gurgenidze Variation (Caro-Kann Defense)
Definition
The Gurgenidze Variation is an off-beat but resilient line of the Caro-Kann Defense characterised by an early kingside fianchetto by Black. The most popular move order is:
- 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 g6
Black’s plan is to combine Caro-Kann solidity with the hypermodern idea of attacking the centre from afar with ...Bg7.
Strategic Ideas
- Flexible Centre: By delaying ...cxd4, Black keeps tension and sometimes strikes with ...dxe4 followed by ...c5.
- Dark-Square Grip: The bishop on g7 eyes d4 and b2. When White advances e5, it can become over-extended.
- Unbalanced Play: Compared with the classical Caro-Kann, opposite-side castling and kingside pawn storms occur more frequently.
Historical Background
The line is named after Georgian grandmaster Bukhuti Gurgenidze (1933-2008), who repeatedly used it in the 1960s and 1970s to outfox well-prepared Soviet opponents. It was later popularised in the West by Tony Miles and Nigel Short.
Illustrative Example
Gurgenidze–Tal, Soviet Championship 1957 (draw):
- 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 g6 4. Nf3 Bg7 5. h3 dxe4 6. Nxe4 Nd7 — Black reached a solid setup and eventually forced a perpetual check.
Typical Plans for Both Sides
- White: Choose between the central advance e5 (gaining space) or maintaining tension; develop pieces to f3, g3, Be3, Qd2 and consider long-side castling.
- Black: Counter with ...Bg4 pin, central break ...c5, or flank play with ...Qb6 and queenside expansion.
Interesting Facts
- Because the system can be reached after 3. Nd2 or 3. e5 as well, some opening books label it a “system” rather than a fixed variation.
- Engines initially disliked the line, but modern versions (Stockfish 16, Leela 0.30) evaluate it as fully playable, especially when Black follows up precisely with ...Nh6–f5 ideas.
- Gurgenidze allegedly prepared the variation while serving as a tank commander, analysing positions on the turret during breaks!