The Accelerated Dragon, Modern 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. Nc3, reaching the position shown below after 9 half-moves.
White holds the centre with pawns on e4. Development is level at two minor pieces each. 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.
You can play through this variation move by move in your browser — Learn mode walks the line with an explanation at each step, and Drill mode replays it from memory so you find out whether you actually know it. No account is required.
See all 238 Sicilian Defense variations →
The Accelerated Dragon, Modern Variation goes 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 g6 5. Nc3. It is a variation of the Sicilian Defense and is catalogued as ECO B34.
The Accelerated Dragon, Modern Variation is ECO B34. ECO codes group openings by their move order, so nearby codes cover closely related lines of the Sicilian Defense.
Stockfish evaluates the position after 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 g6 5. Nc3 at +0.38 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.
White holds the centre with pawns on e4. Development is level at two minor pieces each. It is Black to move.