Sicilian Defense: Dragon Variation (B70)

The Main Line is a variation of the Sicilian, Dragon Variation, catalogued as ECO B70. The line runs 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 g6, reaching the position shown below after 10 half-moves.

White holds the centre with pawns on e4. Development is level at two minor pieces each. It is White to move after five moves.

On the Sicilian, Dragon Variation generally: One of the sharpest openings in chess. Black fianchettoes the bishop to g7 creating a 'dragon' formation. The Yugoslav Attack leads to opposite-side castling and mutual attacks.

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 — position after g6 h1g2f3e4d5c6b7a8
Position after 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 g6

Move order

#WhiteBlack
1e4c5
2Nf3d6
3d4cxd4
4Nxd4Nf6
5Nc3g6

ECO: B70

Stockfish: +0.56 at depth 18

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Related Sicilian, Dragon Variation lines

Frequently asked questions

What are the moves of the Main Line?

The Main Line goes 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 g6. It is a variation of the Sicilian, Dragon Variation and is catalogued as ECO B70.

What is the ECO code for the Main Line?

The Main Line is ECO B70. ECO codes group openings by their move order, so nearby codes cover closely related lines of the Sicilian, Dragon Variation.

Is the Main Line good for Black?

Stockfish evaluates the position after 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 g6 at +0.56 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.

What kind of position does the Main Line lead to?

White holds the centre with pawns on e4. Development is level at two minor pieces each. It is White to move.