Sicilian Defense: Dragon Variation, Yugoslav Attack, Soltis Variation (B79)

The Dragon Variation, Yugoslav Attack, Soltis Variation is a variation of the Sicilian Defense, catalogued as ECO B79. The line runs 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 g6 6. Be3 Bg7 7. f3 O-O 8. Qd2 Nc6 9. Bc4 Bd7 10. O-O-O Qa5 11. h4 Rfc8 12. Bb3 h5, reaching the position shown below after 24 half-moves.

White holds the centre with pawns on e4. Development is level at four minor pieces each. It is White to move after 12 moves. The kings have gone to opposite wings (White queenside, Black kingside), which usually means both sides attack with pawns and the faster attack wins.

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: Dragon Variation, Yugoslav Attack, Soltis Variation — position after h5 h1g2f3e4d5c6b7a8
Position after 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 g6 6. Be3 Bg7 7. f3 O-O 8. Qd2 Nc6 9. Bc4 Bd7 10. O-O-O Qa5 11. h4 Rfc8 12. Bb3 h5

Move order

#WhiteBlack
1e4c5
2Nf3d6
3d4cxd4
4Nxd4Nf6
5Nc3g6
6Be3Bg7
7f3O-O
8Qd2Nc6
9Bc4Bd7
10O-O-OQa5
11h4Rfc8
12Bb3h5

ECO: B79

Stockfish: +0.80 at depth 18

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Position characteristics

Related Sicilian Defense lines

Frequently asked questions

What are the moves of the Dragon Variation, Yugoslav Attack, Soltis Variation?

The Dragon Variation, Yugoslav Attack, Soltis Variation goes 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 g6 6. Be3 Bg7 7. f3 O-O 8. Qd2 Nc6 9. Bc4 Bd7 10. O-O-O Qa5 11. h4 Rfc8 12. Bb3 h5. It is a variation of the Sicilian Defense and is catalogued as ECO B79.

What is the ECO code for the Dragon Variation, Yugoslav Attack, Soltis Variation?

The Dragon Variation, Yugoslav Attack, Soltis Variation is ECO B79. ECO codes group openings by their move order, so nearby codes cover closely related lines of the Sicilian Defense.

Is the Dragon Variation, Yugoslav Attack, Soltis Variation good for Black?

Stockfish evaluates the position after 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 g6 6. Be3 Bg7 7. f3 O-O 8. Qd2 Nc6 9. Bc4 Bd7 10. O-O-O Qa5 11. h4 Rfc8 12. Bb3 h5 at +0.80 at depth 18, which is a small but real edge for White. 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, Yugoslav Attack, Soltis Variation lead to?

White holds the centre with pawns on e4. Development is level at four minor pieces each. It is White to move. The kings have gone to opposite wings (White queenside, Black kingside), which usually means both sides attack with pawns and the faster attack wins.