Sicilian: Dragon, Yugoslav, 7...a6

Sicilian: Dragon

Definition

The Dragon is a variation of the Sicilian Defence that begins with the moves
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 g6.
Black fianchettoes the king-side bishop on g7, creating a long diagonal that, together with the pawn chain d6–e7–f7–g6, is said to resemble a dragon’s tail.

Typical Usage in Play

Black accepts structural weaknesses (the d6 backward pawn and open c-file) in return for dynamic piece play.
White often castles long and launches a pawn storm with h2-h4-h5 and g2-g4 (see “Yugoslav Attack”).
Black counters on the queenside with …Nc6, …Qa5, …Rc8 and the thematic break …d6-d5.

Strategic & Historical Significance

• One of the sharpest, most analyzed lines in chess; engines still uncover novelties.
• Popularized by World Champions Mikhail Botvinnik and Garry Kasparov early in their careers.
• Fell out of top-level vogue after 2000 when deep computer preparation began to favor White’s attacking chances.

Illustrative Game

Short – Kasparov, London 1987. Black demonstrated the power of ...d6-d5 and queenside counterplay to equalise.

Interesting Facts

The name “Dragon” was coined by the Russian master Fyodor Dus-Chotimirsky, an amateur astronomer who thought the pawn structure resembled the constellation Draco.
It is one of the few openings to inspire entire books devoted solely to a single variation (e.g., “Winning With the Dragon” by Chris Ward).

Yugoslav (Yugoslav Attack)

Definition

The Yugoslav Attack is White’s most critical response to the Sicilian Dragon. A typical move-order is
6. Be3 Bg7 7. f3 O-O 8. Qd2 Nc6 9. O-O-O.
White castles long, fortifies the e4-pawn with f3, and prepares a pawn storm on the king side.

Main Ideas for Each Side

White
- h2-h4-h5 and g2-g4 to break open g- and h-files.
- Line-up heavy pieces on h- and g-files or the long diagonal with Bc4 and Qh6.
- Sometimes sacrifice material (e.g., the exchange on d5 or rook on h1) to pry open Black’s king.
Black
- Counterattack on the queenside with …a6–b5–b4, sometimes sacrificing the exchange on c3.
- Central break …d6-d5 to liberate the position.
- Precise tactical defence is mandatory; one tempo often decides the game.

Historical Background

The system was perfected by Yugoslav grandmasters in the 1950s—Šahović, Gligorić, and Matanović—hence the name. Their successes against Soviet players established the line as the main test of the Dragon.

Classic Example

Gligorić – Boleslavsky, Dubrovnik Olympiad 1950. White’s concept of long castling and a king-side pawn storm shocked the chess world and inspired a generation of attacking games.

Interesting Anecdotes

Garry Kasparov played the Yugoslav Attack with both colors—beating Anand as White (Linares 1991) and losing spectacularly to Kramnik as Black (Dortmund 1992).
Modern engines judge many old “refutations” of the Dragon as dubious, breathing new life into the opening at club level.

7…a6

Definition

The notation “7…a6” identifies Black’s seventh move of advancing the a-pawn to a6. While the exact context can vary, it is most famously associated with two Sicilian set-ups:
(1) the Najdorf Variation where …a6 is played on move 5, and
(2) the Dragadorf (Dragon + Najdorf hybrid) where …a6 is postponed until move 7—after 6…Bg7 7.f3 a6.
In both cases the idea is identical: seize space on the queenside and prepare …b5.

Strategic Purpose

Prevents White’s knight or bishop from jumping to b5 (harassing c7 or d6).
Supports the pawn thrust …b5, gaining space and activating the queen-side rook.
Creates a useful “luft” square (a7) for the black queen when attacked on the a-file.

Typical Dragadorf Move-Order

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 g6 6. Be3 Bg7 7. f3 a6 (7…a6!)

Key Plans After 7…a6

Black plays …b5, sometimes …Nbd7–b6, and may delay castling to keep the king flexible.
White can choose standard Yugoslav setups (Qd2, 0-0-0, g4) or go for Be2 + 0-0, each with different tactical nuances.

Illustrative Miniature

A theoretical battle demonstrating how …a6–b5–b4 forces White to juggle king safety with attack.

Fun Facts

The term “Dragadorf” was coined by GM Jonathan Rowson in the 1990s; he felt the hybrid looked like a Dragon wearing Najdorf “body armour.”
7…a6 also appears in non-Sicilian openings, e.g., the Semi-Slav Botvinnik line (…b5 followed by …a6), showing the universal value of gaining queenside space.