The Dragon Variation, Modern Bc4 Variation is a variation of the Sicilian Defense, catalogued as ECO B35. The line runs 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 g6 5. Nc3 Bg7 6. Be3 Nf6 7. Bc4 d6, 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, Modern Bc4 Variation goes 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 g6 5. Nc3 Bg7 6. Be3 Nf6 7. Bc4 d6. It is a variation of the Sicilian Defense and is catalogued as ECO B35.
The Dragon Variation, Modern Bc4 Variation is ECO B35. 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 Bg7 6. Be3 Nf6 7. Bc4 d6 at +0.42 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 four minor pieces each. It is White to move.