Sicilian Defense: Dragon Variation, Classical Variation, Spielmann Variation (B74)

The Dragon Variation, Classical Variation, Spielmann Variation is a variation of the Sicilian Defense, catalogued as ECO B74. The line runs 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 g6 5. Nc3 Bg7 6. Be3 Nf6 7. Be2 O-O 8. Nb3 d6 9. O-O Be6 10. f4 Na5 11. f5 Bc4 12. Bd3, reaching the position shown below after 23 half-moves.

White holds the centre with pawns on e4, and one pawn capture is available, so the structure has not settled yet. Development is level at four minor pieces each. It is Black to move after 12 moves. Both kings have castled kingside, so play tends to shift to the centre and the opposite flank.

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.

Sicilian Defense: Dragon Variation, Classical Variation, Spielmann Variation — position after Bd3 a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
Position after 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 g6 5. Nc3 Bg7 6. Be3 Nf6 7. Be2 O-O 8. Nb3 d6 9. O-O Be6 10. f4 Na5 11. f5 Bc4 12. Bd3

Move order

#WhiteBlack
1e4c5
2Nf3Nc6
3d4cxd4
4Nxd4g6
5Nc3Bg7
6Be3Nf6
7Be2O-O
8Nb3d6
9O-OBe6
10f4Na5
11f5Bc4
12Bd3

ECO: B74

Stockfish: 0.00 at depth 18

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Position characteristics

Related Sicilian Defense lines

Frequently asked questions

What are the moves of the Dragon Variation, Classical Variation, Spielmann Variation?

The Dragon Variation, Classical Variation, Spielmann Variation goes 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 g6 5. Nc3 Bg7 6. Be3 Nf6 7. Be2 O-O 8. Nb3 d6 9. O-O Be6 10. f4 Na5 11. f5 Bc4 12. Bd3. It is a variation of the Sicilian Defense and is catalogued as ECO B74.

What is the ECO code for the Dragon Variation, Classical Variation, Spielmann Variation?

The Dragon Variation, Classical Variation, Spielmann Variation is ECO B74. ECO codes group openings by their move order, so nearby codes cover closely related lines of the Sicilian Defense.

Is the Dragon Variation, Classical Variation, Spielmann Variation good for White?

Stockfish evaluates the position after 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 g6 5. Nc3 Bg7 6. Be3 Nf6 7. Be2 O-O 8. Nb3 d6 9. O-O Be6 10. f4 Na5 11. f5 Bc4 12. Bd3 at 0.00 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 Dragon Variation, Classical Variation, Spielmann Variation lead to?

White holds the centre with pawns on e4, and one pawn capture is available, so the structure has not settled yet. Development is level at four minor pieces each. It is Black to move. Both kings have castled kingside, so play tends to shift to the centre and the opposite flank.