Sicilian: Accelerated Fianchetto, Modern, 5...Bg7

Sicilian Defence: Accelerated Fianchetto, Modern Variation (5…Bg7)

Definition

The phrase “Sicilian: Accelerated Fianchetto, Modern, 5…Bg7” refers to a specific branch of the Sicilian Defence in which Black fianchettos the king’s bishop one move faster than in the traditional Dragon. The defining move-order reaches the position after:

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 g6 5. Nc3 Bg7 (ECO code B34).

“Accelerated Fianchetto” highlights the early …g6 and …Bg7 set-up; “Modern” indicates White’s choice of 5.Nc3 (rather than 5.c4, the Maroczy Bind); “5…Bg7” simply pinpoints the key developing move that completes the fianchetto.

Typical Move-Order

1. e4 c5
2. Nf3 Nc6  – Black keeps the knight flexible instead of 2…d6.
3. d4 cxd4
4. Nxd4 g6  – the bishop will soon appear on g7.
5. Nc3 Bg7

Note the absence of …d6; Black hopes to play the central break …d5 in one move, saving a tempo compared with the classical Dragon (…d6 followed later by …d5).

Strategic Themes

• Central Counter-thrust …d5. Without the pawn on d6, Black’s dream is to equalise instantly with …d5. Much of the opening revolves around preparing, preventing or timing this break.
• Flexible Pawn Structure. Black often castles quickly and keeps the queenside pawns (…a6, …b5) in reserve until White’s set-up is clear.
• Maroczy Bind Fear. If White plays 5.c4 instead of 5.Nc3, the strong pawn duo on e4 & c4 clamps down on …d5 and gains space. Avoiding this bind is one reason some players prefer the “Hyper-Accelerated” move-order 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 g6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4, delaying …Nc6.
• Piece Activity vs. Space. Black’s pieces are well-placed for counter-attacks, but White enjoys a classical space advantage and often orchestrates central or kingside expansion with f2-f4 or f2-f3 & Be3–Qd2–0-0-0 ideas.

Historical & Theoretical Significance

The Accelerated Fianchetto gained popularity in the 1950s when players such as Grandmasters Miguel Najdorf and Efim Geller explored its subtleties. Bobby Fischer tried the system in his youth, appreciating its dynamic yet sound character. In modern times, Magnus Carlsen, Viswanathan Anand, and Boris Gelfand have all employed it with success, keeping it a living, theoretically rich choice.

Illustrative Game

[[Pgn| e4|c5|Nf3|Nc6|d4|cxd4|Nxd4|g6|Nc3|Bg7|Be3|Nf6|Bc4|O-O|Bb3|d6|O-O|Bd7|h3|Rc8 |fen|r1q2rk1/1b1bppbp/pp1p1np1/8/2B1P3/1B1N1N1P/PPPP1PP1/R2Q1RK1 w - - 0 11 |arrows|c6d4,d6d5|squares|g7,f6]]

Carlsen – Mamedyarov, Gashimov Memorial 2021, continued 11.Re1 Na5 12.Qd2 b5, illustrating Black’s typical queenside expansion once …d6 has secured the centre.

Common Plans for Both Sides

• White
  • Be3, Qd2, 0-0-0, and an eventual h2-h4–h5 pawn storm.
  • Maroczy Bind (with c2-c4) in alternative lines to strangle …d5.
  • Positional squeeze with f2-f4, bolstering e4 and eyeing f5.
• Black
  • Timely …d5 break to equalise and free the position.
  • Queenside play: …a6, …b5, …Bb7, sometimes doubling rooks on the c-file.
  • Exchanging a pair of knights to ease space pressure, e.g., …Nxd4.

Interesting Facts & Anecdotes

• Because Black skips …d6, the notorious Yugoslav Attack (Bf1-c4, Qd1-h5, Bh6) that terrorises the Dragon is less forcing; White often switches plans to a positional bind instead.
• Grandmaster Sergei Tiviakov once went over 60 consecutive tournament games without losing in the Accelerated Fianchetto, a testament to its resilience.
• The line has been dubbed the “Accelerator” by online blitz aficionados, praising its quick counterpunching potential when time is scarce.

When to Choose This Line

Pick the Accelerated Fianchetto, Modern, 5…Bg7 if you:

• Enjoy Sicilian complexity but want to avoid the heaviest Dragon theory.
• Prefer strategic flexibility: you can steer toward quiet manoeuvres or razor-sharp counterplay depending on White’s set-up.
• Are comfortable defending slightly passive positions while waiting for the liberating …d5 push.

Further Study

• Grandmaster repertoire books by Peter Heine Nielsen and Boris Avrukh cover the Accelerated Fianchetto in depth.
• Model Games: Gelfand vs. Carlsen (Tal Memorial 2012), Anand vs. Svidler (Candidates 2014), and Tiviakov’s numerous instructive wins.