Sicilian: Accelerated Fianchetto, 5.Bc4
Sicilian: Accelerated Fianchetto (Accelerated Dragon)
Definition
The Accelerated Fianchetto is a branch of the Sicilian Defense that arises after 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 g6. Black delays …d6 and immediately fianchettoes the king-side bishop with …g6 and …Bg7. Because the bishop is developed “at accelerated speed” compared with the traditional Dragon (where Black plays …d6 first), the system is also called the Accelerated Dragon.
Typical Move Order
One common sequence is:
- 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 g6 5. Nc3 Bg7 6. Be3 Nf6 7. Bc4 Qa5
By omitting …d6, Black hopes to strike in the center with …d5 in a single move, saving a tempo and avoiding many of the sharp Yugoslav Attack setups that plague the regular Dragon.
Strategic Ideas
- …d7–d5 Break: The raison d’être of the line; if executed safely Black equalises.
- Long-Diagonal Pressure: The fianchettoed bishop on g7 eyes the e5 and d4 squares and can become a powerhouse against an over-extended White center.
- Flexible Pawn Structure: Because the d-pawn is still on d7, Black can react to White’s setup with …d6, …d5, or even …e6 depending on circumstances.
- Counter-Maróczy Plans: If White opts for 5. c4, producing the Maróczy Bind, Black aims for piece play, queenside expansion (…b5), and timely breaks with …f5 or …d5.
Historical Context
Although its roots go back to the late 19th century, the Accelerated Fianchetto was popularised in the 1960s by players such as Bent Larsen and Gennady Timoshchenko. Modern grandmasters—including Peter Svidler, Maxime Vachier-Lagrave, and Fabiano Caruana— still adopt it as a low-maintenance, theoretical yet flexible weapon.
Illustrative Example
In Caruana – Anand, Wijk aan Zee 2014, the former World Champion equalised effortlessly:
Interesting Facts
- The ECO codes for the Accelerated Fianchetto span B34–B39.
- When Black plays 2…g6 immediately (1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 g6) the line is nick-named the Hyper-Accelerated Dragon.
- Because Black keeps the d-pawn on d7, the feared exchange sacrifice on c3 (…Rx c3) typical of the Dragon is far less common.
5.Bc4 Variation in the Sicilian: Accelerated Fianchetto
Definition
After 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 g6, the immediate 5. Bc4 constitutes a direct, piece-oriented approach that avoids the positional Maróczy Bind (5. c4). The bishop targets the f7-square and prevents Black’s thematic …d7–d5 break for the moment. The line is catalogued as ECO B35 and sometimes called the Italian Accelerated.
Main Ideas & Plans
- Pressure on f7: The bishop on c4 eyes the vulnerable pawn, complicating Black’s development.
- Rapid Development: White often follows up with Nc3, Be3, Qe2, and long castling, heading for a kingside attack.
- Hindering …d5: With the bishop pinning the e6-square, Black may need preparatory moves like …Nf6 and …d6.
- Central Control vs. Tactical Play: Unlike the Maróczy, this line is sharper and less structure-driven; both sides must calculate precisely.
Critical Line
Here Black has a solid structure but lagging development; White enjoys active pieces and kingside prospects.
Strategic Themes for Black
- Strive for …d5 once the f7 point is defended—often via …Nf6, …d6, …O-O, and only then …d5.
- Queenside counterplay with …Rb8 and …Qa5, targeting the bishop on c4 and the b-pawn.
- In some lines Black returns the c-pawn (…d6–d5) to release the cramped position and liberate the g7-bishop.
Historical & Practical Significance
The move 5.Bc4 never attained the theoretical depth of the Maróczy, yet it serves as an excellent surprise weapon. Notable practitioners include Viktor Korchnoi, Vassily Ivanchuk, and more recently Daniil Dubov, who value its imbalance and reduced reliance on heavy theory.
Game Snapshot
Korchnoi vs. Andersson, Tilburg 1981, is a model example:
Interesting Tidbits
- Because of tactical threats on f7, careless play by Black can lead to quick disasters, e.g., 5…Nf6? 6.Nxc6 bxc6 7.e5! undermining the knight and the c6-pawn.
- The quiet 5…Bg7 is the main move; 5…Nf6?! and 5…Qc7?! allow tricks such as Bxf7+ followed by Ne6, sometimes winning the queen.
- Computers evaluate the position as roughly equal with best play, but practical winning percentages for White at club level are noticeably higher due to the complexity.