The Dragon Variation, Classical Variation is a variation of the Sicilian Defense, catalogued as ECO B72. The line runs 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 g6 6. Be3 Bg7 7. Be2 Nc6, reaching the position shown below after 14 half-moves.
White holds the centre with pawns on e4. Development is level at four 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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The Dragon Variation, Classical Variation goes 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 g6 6. Be3 Bg7 7. Be2 Nc6. It is a variation of the Sicilian Defense and is catalogued as ECO B72.
The Dragon Variation, Classical Variation is ECO B72. 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 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 g6 6. Be3 Bg7 7. Be2 Nc6 at +0.24 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.
White holds the centre with pawns on e4. Development is level at four minor pieces each. It is White to move.