Sicilian Dragon: 6.Bc4 Bg7

Sicilian Defence: Dragon Variation

Definition

The Dragon is a major branch of the Sicilian Defence that arises after the moves 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 g6. Black fianchettoes the king-side bishop to g7, whose long diagonal resembles the fiery breath of a dragon—hence the name.

Typical Move Order

• 1. e4 c5
• 2. Nf3 d6
• 3. d4 cxd4
• 4. Nxd4 Nf6
• 5. Nc3 g6  – starting position of the Dragon

Strategic Themes

• Sharp, double-edged play: Both sides often castle on opposite flanks, leading to mutual pawn storms.
• Bishop on g7: Controls the a1–h8 diagonal, eyeing the center and queenside.
• Central tension: Black accepts a slightly weakened kingside dark-square complex in return for piece activity.
• Typical pawn breaks: …d6–d5 for Black, h2–h4–h5 or g2–g4 for White in Yugoslav-type positions.

Historical Context

The term “Dragon” was popularised by German master Dr. Fritz Güntzel in 1901, intrigued by the resemblance of the black kingside pawn structure to the Draco constellation. The variation became extremely fashionable in the 1950s and 1960s thanks to players such as Mikhail Botvinnik, Bent Larsen, and especially Garri Kasparov, who revived it in the 1980s in his World Championship matches.

Famous Games

• Kasparov – Karpov, World Ch. (Game 16), 1990: Kasparov used the Yugoslav Attack to score a critical win, showcasing a classic exchange sacrifice on c3.
• Topalov – Giri, Shamkir 2015: A modern illustrative game where Black’s thematic …d5 break equalised in razor-sharp complications.

Example Position

The following miniature (22 moves) features the archetypal opposite-side attacks:

Interesting Facts

• In the 1972 Fischer–Spassky match, Fischer famously switched from the Najdorf to the Dragon in game 11—then never played it again in the match.
• Computers originally loved the Dragon’s dynamism; however, with stronger engines and tablebases, some lines (notably the 9. Bc4 Yugoslav) have been re-evaluated as perilous for Black unless prepared.
• The Chinese grandmaster Bu Xiangzhi wields the Dragon so frequently that some commentators jokingly refer to it as the “Chinese Dragon.”

6.Bc4 Bg7 (Classical Dragon Line)

Definition

After the initial Dragon moves (1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 g6), the move 6.Bc4 is White’s Classical approach, developing the bishop to the a2–g8 diagonal and eyeing the sensitive f7-square. Black almost invariably replies with 6…Bg7, completing the fianchetto and contesting that same diagonal.

How It Is Used

• White’s plan: Rapid piece development (Bc4, Qe2, 0–0) and pressure on the d5 and f7 squares, often followed by Be3 or Bb3.
• Black’s plan: Counter in the center with …Nc6 and …Bd7, castle kingside, and aim for …d5 to free the position.

Key Continuations

1. Rauzer/Classical Main Line: 7. O-O O-O 8. Bb3 Nc6 9. Be3 Bd7 10. f3.
2. Soltis Variation ideas: White delays castling and plays 7. Qe2 followed by Be3 and f3.
3. Early d5 break: Black may try 7…Nc6 8. Bb3 Nxd4 9. Qxd4 Be6!?

Strategic Significance

• This line is less forcing than the ultra-sharp Yugoslav Attack (6. Be3), so some Dragon specialists prefer it because Black has more strategic resources.
• The bishop on c4 can become a target of …Nxe4 tactics or …d6–d5 thrusts, meaning accurate play is necessary for White.
• Black’s thematic …d5 break carries extra punch because the bishop on c4 does not reinforce White’s d4-knight as in other lines.

Illustrative Game

Garry Kasparov – Nigel Short, Amsterdam Blitz 1988 Kasparov shows a textbook central breakthrough with …d5:

Historical Notes

The 6.Bc4 line was championed by the Yugoslav grandmaster Dragoljub Velimirović, whose attacking style popularised many sacrificial ideas such as Bxf7+ in conjunction with Qd2 and 0–0–0. Bobby Fischer also employed 6.Bc4 occasionally before declaring the entire Dragon “dubious” in his writings.

Interesting Tidbits

• Because of the symmetrical development of the bishops to c4 and g7, this position is jokingly called the “duelling dragons.”
• In blitz and rapid play, the immediate 7. h3 (preventing …Ng4) scores surprisingly well, yet it is nearly absent from classical databases.
• The line has proven resilient even with modern engines; many top grandmasters still adopt it when they wish to sidestep the heavily-theorised Yugoslav Attack.

Sample Starting Position

Readers can practise from the exact diagram below, which is the main tabiya after 6…Bg7: