Sicilian, Dragon Variation: Yugoslav Attack, 9.O-O-O (B76)

The Yugoslav Attack, 9.O-O-O is a variation of the Sicilian, Dragon Variation, catalogued as ECO B76. 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. O-O-O, reaching the position shown below after 17 half-moves.

White holds the centre with pawns on e4. Development is level at three minor pieces each. It is Black to move after nine 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, 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.

Position characteristics

• Opposite-side castling

Related Sicilian, Dragon Variation lines

• Yugoslav Attack, Hungarian Dragon
• Yugoslav Attack
• Levenfish Variation
• Accelerated Dragon, Maroczy Bind
• Classical, Richter Variation
• Fianchetto Variation
• Hyper-Accelerated Dragon
• Yugoslav, Byrne Variation
• Main Line
• Classical Variation

See all 15 Sicilian, Dragon Variation variations →

Frequently asked questions

What are the moves of the Yugoslav Attack, 9.O-O-O?

The Yugoslav Attack, 9.O-O-O 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. O-O-O. It is a variation of the Sicilian, Dragon Variation and is catalogued as ECO B76.

What is the ECO code for the Yugoslav Attack, 9.O-O-O?

The Yugoslav Attack, 9.O-O-O is ECO B76. ECO codes group openings by their move order, so nearby codes cover closely related lines of the Sicilian, Dragon Variation.

Is the Yugoslav Attack, 9.O-O-O 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. O-O-O at +0.43 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, 9.O-O-O lead to?

White holds the centre with pawns on e4. Development is level at three minor pieces each. It is Black 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.