Sicilian Defense: Accelerated Dragon, Exchange Variation (B34)

The Accelerated Dragon, Exchange Variation is a variation of the Sicilian Defense, catalogued as ECO B34. The line runs 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 g6 5. Nxc6, reaching the position shown below after 9 half-moves.

White holds the centre with pawns on e4. Development is level at one minor pieces each, and White is up three points of material. It is Black to move after five moves.

On the Sicilian Defense generally: The most popular and aggressive response to 1.e4. Black fights for the center asymmetrically, leading to rich tactical play.

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Sicilian Defense: Accelerated Dragon, Exchange Variation — position after Nxc6 a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
Position after 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 g6 5. Nxc6

Move order

#WhiteBlack
1e4c5
2Nf3Nc6
3d4cxd4
4Nxd4g6
5Nxc6

ECO: B34

Stockfish: +0.09 at depth 18

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Position characteristics

Related Sicilian Defense lines

Frequently asked questions

What are the moves of the Accelerated Dragon, Exchange Variation?

The Accelerated Dragon, Exchange Variation goes 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 g6 5. Nxc6. It is a variation of the Sicilian Defense and is catalogued as ECO B34.

What is the ECO code for the Accelerated Dragon, Exchange Variation?

The Accelerated Dragon, Exchange Variation is ECO B34. ECO codes group openings by their move order, so nearby codes cover closely related lines of the Sicilian Defense.

Is the Accelerated Dragon, Exchange Variation good for White?

Stockfish evaluates the position after 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 g6 5. Nxc6 at +0.09 at depth 18, which is balanced. Engine evaluation is only a starting point — at club level the practical value of a line is mostly about whether you know its plans better than your opponent does.

What kind of position does the Accelerated Dragon, Exchange Variation lead to?

White holds the centre with pawns on e4. Development is level at one minor pieces each, and White is up three points of material. It is Black to move.