Sicilian Defense: Accelerated Dragon, Maróczy Bind, Gurgenidze Variation (B36)

The Accelerated Dragon, Maróczy Bind, Gurgenidze Variation is a variation of the Sicilian Defense, catalogued as ECO B36. The line runs 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 g6 5. c4 Nf6 6. Nc3 Nxd4 7. Qxd4 d6, reaching the position shown below after 14 half-moves.

White holds the centre with pawns on e4. Development is level at two minor pieces each. It is White to move after seven 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, Maróczy Bind, Gurgenidze Variation — position after d6 h1g2f3e4d5c6b7a8
Position after 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 g6 5. c4 Nf6 6. Nc3 Nxd4 7. Qxd4 d6

Move order

#WhiteBlack
1e4c5
2Nf3Nc6
3d4cxd4
4Nxd4g6
5c4Nf6
6Nc3Nxd4
7Qxd4d6

ECO: B36

Stockfish: +0.60 at depth 18

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Frequently asked questions

What are the moves of the Accelerated Dragon, Maróczy Bind, Gurgenidze Variation?

The Accelerated Dragon, Maróczy Bind, Gurgenidze Variation goes 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 g6 5. c4 Nf6 6. Nc3 Nxd4 7. Qxd4 d6. It is a variation of the Sicilian Defense and is catalogued as ECO B36.

What is the ECO code for the Accelerated Dragon, Maróczy Bind, Gurgenidze Variation?

The Accelerated Dragon, Maróczy Bind, Gurgenidze Variation is ECO B36. ECO codes group openings by their move order, so nearby codes cover closely related lines of the Sicilian Defense.

Is the Accelerated Dragon, Maróczy Bind, Gurgenidze Variation good for Black?

Stockfish evaluates the position after 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 g6 5. c4 Nf6 6. Nc3 Nxd4 7. Qxd4 d6 at +0.60 at depth 18, which is a slight pull for White, within normal opening margins. 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, Maróczy Bind, Gurgenidze Variation lead to?

White holds the centre with pawns on e4. Development is level at two minor pieces each. It is White to move.