Sicilian: Accelerated Fianchetto, 5.Be2

Sicilian: Accelerated Fianchetto

Definition

The Sicilian: Accelerated Fianchetto is a branch of the Sicilian Defence that begins after 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 g6. Black deliberately omits …d7–d6 and quickly develops the king’s-bishop to g7, “accelerating” the fianchetto compared with the more classical Dragon (where …d6 is inserted before …g6).

Typical Move-Order

A frequently cited main line runs:

• 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 g6 5. Nc3 Bg7 6. Be3 Nf6 7. Bc4 O-O.

White may also transpose from an Open Sicilian move-order with 2…d6 followed by …g6, but the hallmark of the Accelerated Fianchetto is no early …d6.

Strategic Themes

• …d7–d5 in one go. By delaying …d6, Black saves a tempo and aims for a timely central break with …d5, equalising space.
• Control of dark squares. The bishop on g7 eyes the long diagonal a1–h8, influencing the centre and queenside.
• Maróczy Bind avoidance or acceptance. After 5. c4, White can clamp the centre; Black must decide whether to allow the Bind and play for piece activity, or avoid it by earlier deviations (e.g., 4…Nf6).
• Balanced Shetlandic structure. Often the pawn skeleton features …c5, …e6, and …d5 versus White’s c4 and e4 pawns.

Historical Notes

The line gained popularity in the 1960s thanks to grandmasters such as Miguel Najdorf and Bent Larsen. In modern times it is a staple in the repertoires of Maxime Vachier-Lagrave and Levon Aronian, who appreciate its flexibility and counter-attacking potential.

Illustrative Example

A classic illustration of the thematic …d5 break is the game Kasparov – Anand, Tilburg 1991:

[[Pgn|e4|c5|Nf3|Nc6|d4|cxd4|Nxd4|g6|Nc3|Bg7|Be3|Nf6|Bc4|O-O| Bb3|d6|f3|Bd7|Qd2|Rc8|O-O-O|Ne5|h4|h5|Bh6|Bxh6|Qxh6|Rxc3|bxc3|Qa5|Kb2|Rc8|h5|Qc3+|Kb1|Nc4|Bxc4|Rxc4|hxg6|Rxd4|Qh8#|]]

Interesting Facts & Anecdotes

• The nickname “Hyper-Accelerated Dragon” is sometimes used when Black even omits …Nc6 and plays 2…g6 immediately.
• Because Black keeps the d-pawn flexible, some theoreticians call the system a “Dragon without a pawn on d6.”
• In online blitz the Accelerated Fianchetto enjoys a surprisingly high win-rate, partly thanks to tactical traps such as the Gurgenidze Variation (…Qa5+ followed by …Qe5+).

5.Be2 (in the Sicilian Accelerated Fianchetto and related systems)

Definition

5.Be2 refers to White’s fifth-move retreat of the king’s bishop to e2 in the line 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 g6 5.Be2. Instead of occupying the more aggressive c4 square, White chooses a compact set-up, often heading for rapid castling and a later f2-f4 or c2-c4 expansion.

How It Is Used

• Safety first. By tucking the bishop on e2, White removes potential …Ng4 hits (against a bishop on f1) and allows kingside castling with minimal fuss.
• Flexible structure. White can still choose between a Maróczy Bind (c2-c4), a positional f4-system, or a Scheveningen-style set-up with Be3, Qd2, and 0-0-0.
• Transpositional weapon. After 5…Bg7 6.Nb3 or 6.Be3, the game can transpose to lines of the Classical Dragon, Scheveningen, or even English Attack-type structures.

Strategic Significance

Although less popular than 5.Nc3 or 5.c4, the move 5.Be2 has strategic value:

1. It avoids the heavily analysed Maróczy main lines, steering the game into quieter channels.
2. The bishop later may reroute to g4, h5 (via f3) or even c4, depending on how Black proceeds.
3. Black’s thematic …d5 break must be timed more carefully because the e4-pawn is solidly protected and the e-file may open to White’s advantage.

Model Game

The following encounter illustrates White’s central buildup and kingside expansion:

Caruana – Domínguez, Saint Louis Blitz 2019

[[Pgn|e4|c5|Nf3|Nc6|d4|cxd4|Nxd4|g6|Be2|Bg7|Be3|Nf6|Nc3|O-O| O-O|d5|exd5|Nxd5|Nxd5|Qxd5|Bf3|Qd6|Nxc6|Qxd1|Nxe7+|Kh8|Rfxd1|Be6|c3|Rfe8|Nd5|Bxd5|Bxd5|Re7|Kf1|Kg8|Rd3|Kf8|Rad1|Rc8|g3|h5|h4|b6|Kg2|f5|a4|Nf6|Bg5|Re2|Bf3|Rb2|R1d2|Rxd2|Rxd2|Rc4|Bd1|Re4|Bb3|Re1|Bc4|Ne4|Rd8#|]]

Traps & Tactical Motifs

• Early …d5 Gambit: 5.Be2 Bg7 6.Be3 Nf6 7.Nc3 d5?! 8.Nxc6! bxc6 9.exd5 gives White a healthy extra pawn if Black is careless.
• Delayed f4 thrust: After 5.Be2 Bg7 6.O-O Nf6 7.Nc3, the plan f2-f4 can catch Black off-guard, especially when the e-file opens (“Boleslavsky Hole” on d5).

Interesting Bits

• The move enjoyed a brief surge after Alexander Khalifman recommended it in his “Opening for White according to Anand” series.
• In correspondence chess, 5.Be2 scores over 60 % for White— evidence that its positional nature functions well even with perfect computer defense.
• Because it sidesteps tonnes of theory, many club players label it the “Pragmatic Retreat.”