Sicilian Dragon: 6.Bc4 Bg7 7.O-O

Sicilian Dragon, 6.Bc4 Bg7 7.O-O

Definition

The line 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 g6 6. Bc4 Bg7 7. O-O is a branch of the Sicilian Defence, Dragon Variation. It is sometimes called the Classical Dragon or Sozin-Dragon hybrid, because the bishop move 6.Bc4 echoes the Sozin Attack of the Najdorf while the fianchettoed kingside structure is quintessential “Dragon.” ECO codes most often begin with B71.

Typical Move Order

A representative sequence is illustrated below.

Strategic Ideas

• White’s Concept
  • The bishop on c4 bears directly on the f7–square, creating tactical tricks (e.g., Ndb5, Qf3, or a swift e4-e5 shove).
  • Castling kingside avoids the pawn-storm races typical of the Yugoslav Attack (6.Be3), producing a more positional battle.
  • Later plans vary:
    • a2-a4 and Ra3–h3 for an eventual kingside attack,
    • f2-f4 to seize space and prepare e4-e5, or
    • c2-c3 and Qe2–e3 to strengthen the centre.
• Black’s Counterplay
  • Rapidly mobilise with …O-O, …Nc6, and …Bd7, eyeing the thematic break …d5.
  • The half-open c-file and pawn thrust …b5 provide queenside space, supported by the Dragon bishop on g7.
  • Piece activity is paramount; Black tries to prove that the bishop on c4 is more target than menace once the centre clarifies.

Historical & Practical Significance

Before the 1980s the main battleground in the Dragon was the Yugoslav Attack. When computers began to dissect the ultra-sharp 6.Be3 lines, many grandmasters (e.g., Jan Timman, Judit Polgár) experimented with 6.Bc4 to avoid forcing variations and to keep more pieces on the board.

Although less flashy than the Yugoslav, the Classical Dragon remains an important practical weapon because it sidesteps reams of concrete theory and leaves both sides with plenty of room for original play.

Illustrative Games

1. Kasparov – Spraggett, Wijk aan Zee 1989
   Kasparov uncorked the exchange sacrifice Rxa6, demonstrating the attacking potential of White’s minor pieces on c4 and c6.
2. Anand – Topalov, Linares 1998
   A textbook example of Black’s …d5 break equalising; the game was drawn after mass exchanges in the centre.
3. Shirov – Gelfand, Moscow 2002
   Shirov’s pawn storm with f4–f5 showed that kingside castling does not preclude a ferocious attack; White won in 30 moves.

Key Theoretical Branches

• 7…Nc6 8.Re1 —the modern main line. After 8…O-O, White can choose between the sharp 9.Nxc6 or the slower 9.Bb3.
• 7…O-O 8.Re1 Nc6—move-order finesse: Black keeps the option of …Bd7 and …Rc8 before committing the c-knight.
• 7…Nbd7—a solid alternative aiming for …Nc5 and trading the dangerous bishop on c4.

Interesting Facts & Anecdotes

• Fischer’s Only Dragon? Although Bobby Fischer was famous for 6.Bc4 against the Najdorf, he employed it once versus the Dragon (vs. César Muñoz, Havana 1965), winning in 27 moves after a sacrificial attack on f7.
• Engines fluctuate wildly. Modern engines sometimes rate the line as “+0.20” then swing to “-0.30” after a single natural move, reflecting the rich, unbalanced pawn structures.
• Practical Score. Mega-database statistics (2023) show White scoring roughly 52 % with 6.Bc4, compared to 54 % with the Yugoslav 6.Be3—close enough to keep both sides guessing.

When to Choose This Variation

Pick 6.Bc4 if you:

• Prefer piece activity over memorising forced tactical lines.
• Enjoy leveraging the light-square bishop against f7.
• Are comfortable playing middlegames with both kings safely castled, where manoeuvring skills outweigh concrete calculation.

Conclusion

The Sicilian Dragon with 6.Bc4 Bg7 7.O-O blends classical development with the trademark dynamism of the Dragon. Its rich strategic content, manageable theory, and historical pedigree make it a perennial choice for players who relish double-edged but less theoretical tussles than the Yugoslav Attack.