Sicilian Dragon: 6.Be2 Bg7 7.O-O

Sicilian Defense: Dragon Variation

Definition

The Dragon Variation is one of the sharpest branches of the Sicilian Defense, arising after the moves 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 g6. Black develops the dark-squared bishop to g7, breathing “fire” down the long a1–h8 diagonal, while White typically builds a kingside initiative. Its name was popularized by Russian master Fyodor Dus-Chotimirsky, who thought the pawn structure with …d6 and …g6 resembled the constellation Draco.

Typical Move Order

A canonical sequence runs:
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 g6
After 6.Be2 or 6.Be3, Black continues 6…Bg7 and often castles short. Other major sixth moves for White are 6.Bc4 (Yugoslav Attack) and 6.f4 (Levenfish Attack).

Strategic Themes

• Counter-attack on the long diagonal: The fianchettoed bishop on g7 is Black’s pride, exerting constant pressure on the center and queenside.
• Opposite-side castling: In most main-line Yugoslav Attacks, White castles long while Black castles short, leading to mutual pawn storms.
• Minor-piece imbalances: Knights often hop to d5, f5, or e6; the dark-squared bishops can be traded on h6 or c3 with far-reaching consequences.
• Pawn breaks: White seeks f2-f4-f5 or h2-h4-h5; Black counters with …d6-d5 or …b7-b5‐b4.

Historical Significance

The Dragon has fascinated generations of attacking players. It featured in the games of legends such as Mikhail Botvinnik, Bobby Fischer, and Garry Kasparov. In the 1950s it was considered almost refuted after the discovery of the Yugoslav Attack, but computer analysis and novelties (notably the Chinese Dragon with …Rb8) have kept it very much alive at top level.

Illustrative Example

A textbook introduction to the variation:

After 8.Be3 Nc6 9.Nb3 a6, we enter a calm line of the Classical Dragon, contrasting sharply with the razor-sharp Yugoslav setups.

Interesting Facts & Anecdotes

• The Dragon’s emblematic position (dark-squared bishop breathing fire) is so recognizable that “playing the bishop like a Dragon” has become chess slang even outside the Sicilian.
• Game 11 of the 1995 PCA World Championship (Anand – Kasparov) saw Kasparov use a Dragon set-up to score a crucial win.
• IM Andrew Martin once quipped, “The Dragon is sound—provided your computer’s cooling fan works.”

6.Be2 Bg7 7.O-O in the Dragon (Classical Variation)

Definition

The move sequence 6.Be2 Bg7 7.O-O represents the Classical Variation of the Sicilian Dragon. Unlike the Yugoslav Attack (6.Be3, often followed by long castling), White keeps the king on the kingside, aiming for positional pressure rather than an all-out pawn storm.

How It Is Used

• Solid development: White completes kingside safety early, sidestepping many of the highly analysed tactical minefields.
• Flexibility: Plans include Bc4, Be3, f2-f4, or even a later g2-g4 depending on Black’s setup.
• Central play: White often prepares Nd5, f4-f5, or e4-e5, pressuring d6 and targeting the g7-bishop.

Strategic Significance

By avoiding opposite-side castling, White reduces volatility but must prove an enduring positional edge. Black, freed from the most dangerous mating attacks, looks for thematic breaks such as …d5 or queenside expansion with …a6 & …b5.

Typical Continuations

1. 7…Nc6 8.Be3 O-O 9.Nb3 and now 9…Be6 or 9…a6 leads to a tabiya explored heavily in the 1970s.
2. 7…Nc6 8.Nb3 Be6 9.Be3 d5 – Black strikes in the centre; if 10.exd5 Nxd5 the position opens for the g7-bishop.
3. 7…O-O 8.Be3 Nc6 9.Qd2 Bd7 followed by …Rc8 is another harmonious setup.

Example Game

Petrosian – Ribli, Tilburg 1981 (annotated moves abridged):

Petrosian showed how a positional squeeze with Nd5 and c2-c4 can tame Black’s bishop pair.

Interesting Facts

• The Classical line was Bobby Fischer’s weapon in his early years before he switched to the more aggressive 9.Bc4 ideas.
• Despite being quieter, it contains venom; several modern engines give White a slight pull, especially in endgames where the g7-bishop can become “bitten” by a knight on d5.
• Many amateurs adopt 6.Be2 to avoid memorizing encyclopaedic Yugoslav theory, yet top GMs occasionally wheel it out as a surprise.

When to Choose This Line

Pick 6.Be2 Bg7 7.O-O if you:

• Prefer strategic manoeuvring over forced tactical melees.
• Are facing a well-prepared Dragon specialist and want to steer the game into less analysed waters.
• Enjoy exploiting small positional targets rather than betting everything on a direct kingside assault.