Sicilian Defense: Dragon, Yugoslav Attack (B77)

The Yugoslav Attack is a variation of the Sicilian, Dragon Variation, catalogued as ECO B77. 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, reaching the position shown below after 17 half-moves.

White holds the centre with pawns on e4. Development is level at four minor pieces each. It is Black to move after nine moves. Black has castled while White’s king is still uncommitted.

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, Yugoslav Attack — position after Bc4 a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
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

Move order

#WhiteBlack
1e4c5
2Nf3d6
3d4cxd4
4Nxd4Nf6
5Nc3g6
6Be3Bg7
7f3O-O
8Qd2Nc6
9Bc4

ECO: B77

Stockfish: +0.44 at depth 18

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Related Sicilian, Dragon Variation lines

Frequently asked questions

What are the moves of the Yugoslav Attack?

The Yugoslav Attack 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. It is a variation of the Sicilian, Dragon Variation and is catalogued as ECO B77.

What is the ECO code for the Yugoslav Attack?

The Yugoslav Attack is ECO B77. ECO codes group openings by their move order, so nearby codes cover closely related lines of the Sicilian, Dragon Variation.

Is the Yugoslav Attack good for White?

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 at +0.44 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 Yugoslav Attack lead to?

White holds the centre with pawns on e4. Development is level at four minor pieces each. It is Black to move. Black has castled while White’s king is still uncommitted.