Sicilian Defense: Open Dragon, Classical, Nottingham

Sicilian Defense

Definition

The Sicilian Defense is the opening that begins with the moves 1.e4 c5. Black immediately contests the center from the flank by striking at the d4-square with the c-pawn instead of mirroring White’s pawn on e4 with …e5. The resulting positions are typically asymmetrical, rich in tactical and strategic possibilities, and have generated more opening theory than any other reply to 1.e4.

Main Move-Order & Families

From the starting position, the Sicilian branches into several large families:

• Open Sicilian (2.Nf3 followed by 3.d4), leading to Najdorf, Dragon, Classical, Scheveningen, Sveshnikov, etc.
• Closed Sicilian (2.Nc3 without early d4)
• Anti-Sicilians (Rossolimo, Moscow, Alapin, Grand Prix, Smith-Morra, & others)

Strategic Themes

Typical Sicilian positions feature:

• An open c-file on which Black places rooks to pressure c2 or c4.
• Uneven pawn structures—Black often has a central pawn majority while White enjoys a kingside space advantage.
• Sharp, double-edged play: opposite-side castling attacks are common, especially in the Open Sicilian.

Historical Significance

The name “Sicilian” first appeared in Pietro Carrera’s 1617 treatise. Louis Paulsen, Siegbert Tarrasch, and later Mikhail Botvinnik advanced its theory, but it was Bobby Fischer’s famous comment “1.e4 c5 — best by test” that cemented the opening’s modern popularity. Today more than one-third of games beginning 1.e4 at master level continue with …c5.

Example Game

Kasparov – Anand, World Championship (Game 16), New York 1995 featured a razor-sharp Najdorf and is often cited as a model of Sicilian dynamism.

Interesting Facts

• The Sicilian has been played in 11 of the last 12 decisive World Championship games beginning 1.e4.
• Modern databases contain well over five million Sicilian Defense games—more than double any other opening family.

Open Sicilian

Definition

The term “Open Sicilian” denotes the set of lines where White plays 2.Nf3 followed by 3.d4, sacrificing the d-pawn to open the position: 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4. White’s knight recaptures on d4, and an open central file (usually the c-file) appears immediately.

Usage & Typical Continuations

After 4.Nxd4, Black chooses a system move on move 5 that defines the variation:

1. 4…Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 — Najdorf
2. 4…Nf6 5.Nc3 e6 — Scheveningen / Classical hybrids
3. 4…Nf6 5.Nc3 g6 — Dragon
4. 4…Nc6 — Classical / Sveshnikov (if …e5 follows)

Strategic Themes

• White obtains rapid piece activity and often a kingside initiative.
• Black gains a semi-open c-file and chances for counterplay on the queenside or in the center.

Illustrative Mini-PGN

Typical skeleton:
(leads to the Dragon).

Interesting Anecdote

Bobby Fischer’s immortal Game 6 of the 1972 match against Spassky began 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 (an Anti-Sicilian). After losing that game, Spassky switched to the Open Sicilian for the remainder of the match, considering it the most principled test of Black’s setup.

Dragon Variation

Definition

The Dragon is a major branch of the Sicilian Defense characterized by the fianchetto …g6 and …Bg7: 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 g6. The black dark-squared bishop breathes fire along the h8–a1 diagonal, whose star-like pattern on early versions of the constellation board was said to resemble Draco, the dragon — hence the name.

Main Line Position

After 6.Be3 Bg7 7.f3 O-O 8.Qd2 Nc6, both sides often castle on opposite wings (White long, Black short), leading to the ferociously sharp “Yugoslav Attack.”

Strategic & Tactical Motifs

• Opposite-side pawn storms: h- and g-pawns vs. a- and b-pawns.
• Thematic sacrifices on c3 (…Bxc3+) or h6 (Bxh6!) to tear open the enemy king.
• Control of the d5-square is critical — if Black achieves …d5 successfully the Dragon usually breathes freely.

Famous Encounters

• Karpov – Korchnoi, Candidates Final 1974, Game 2: Karpov’s positional exchange sacrifice on c3 showed that quiet play can also tame the Dragon.
• Topalov – Anand, Linares 1998: a whirlwind sacrificial attack culminating in 31.Rh8+!! displayed the line’s tactical richness.

Interesting Facts

• At top level, the Dragon all but disappeared between 2000-2010 due to the lethal effectiveness of the Yugoslav Attack with 9.Bc4. It has since enjoyed a renaissance thanks to modern engine refinements and move-order tricks (e.g., the Accelerated Dragon).
• The film “Searching for Bobby Fischer” features a classroom scene where the young protagonist mates in the classic Dragon pattern …Bxh2+.

Classical Variation (Sicilian Defense)

Definition

The Classical Variation arises after 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nc6. Black develops the b-knight naturally to c6 (rather than fianchettoing it, as in the Najdorf) and maintains a flexible center.

Typical Continuations

• 6.Bg5 e6 — Richter-Rauzer Attack (very sharp)
• 6.Bc4 e6 — Sozin / Fischer-Sozin Attack
• 6.Be2 e5 — Boleslavsky System

Strategic Ideas

• Black aims for …d5 breaks or pawn storms with …f5 depending on White’s setup.
• White typically chases the knight on f6 (Bg5) or tries to exploit the f7-square with Bc4.

Historical Note

The Classical was a favorite of the seventh World Champion Vasily Smyslov. Fischer revitalized its reputation in the 1960s, notably defeating Tal in the 1961 Bled double-round robin with a sparkling attacking win.

Illustrative PGN

Basic tabiya:
. Both sides are poised for opposite-wing operations.

Nottingham Variation (Sicilian Defense)

Definition

The Nottingham Variation is a rarely played but historically interesting branch of the Sicilian in which Black answers 2.Nf3 with an immediate knight sortie: 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nf6. After 3.e5 Nd5 4.Nc3 e6 5.Nxd5 exd5 the position is unbalanced and resembles a French Defense with colors reversed and an extra tempo for White.

Origins of the Name

The line was analysed during the famous Nottingham 1936 super-tournament (won jointly by Capablanca and Botvinnik). Although only a footnote in the event itself, local English analysts publicized the variation, and the “Nottingham” label stuck in several early opening manuals. Many modern databases list it under “Nimzowitsch Variation (B29),” but older books still reference the Nottingham name.

Strategic Features

• Black accepts an isolated but mobile d-pawn and partial control of the light squares.
• White enjoys a spatial advantage and easy development, aiming to restrain …d5-d4 breaks.
• The struggle often revolves around whether Black’s pawn mass becomes a strength (space and piece activity) or a liability (endgame weakness).

Typical Continuation

After 6.d4 Nc6 7.c3, play may transpose into positions reminiscent of the Advance French or Caro-Kann Panov, but with colors reversed.

Example Miniature

Spielmann – Yates, London 1927 (exhibition):
. White obtained a small but lasting advantage and eventually converted in 40 moves.

Interesting Trivia

• Because the early …Nf6 exposes the queen’s knight to kicks with e5, many modern engines evaluate the opening as slightly dubious for Black; nevertheless it remains a favorite surprise weapon in rapid and blitz.
• Grandmaster Tony Miles, famed for off-beat openings (including 1…a6 vs. Karpov!), occasionally flirted with the Nottingham in simultaneous displays across the UK.