Sicilian, Dragon Variation: Yugoslav Attack, Main Line (B77)

The Yugoslav Attack, Main Line 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 Bd7 10. Bb3, reaching the position shown below after 19 half-moves.

White holds the centre with pawns on e4. Development is level at four minor pieces each. It is Black to move after ten 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, Dragon Variation: Yugoslav Attack, Main Line — position after Bb3 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 Bd7 10. Bb3

Move order

#WhiteBlack
1e4c5
2Nf3d6
3d4cxd4
4Nxd4Nf6
5Nc3g6
6Be3Bg7
7f3O-O
8Qd2Nc6
9Bc4Bd7
10Bb3

ECO: B77

Stockfish: +0.32 at depth 18

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Frequently asked questions

What are the moves of the Yugoslav Attack, Main Line?

The Yugoslav Attack, Main Line 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. Bb3. It is a variation of the Sicilian, Dragon Variation and is catalogued as ECO B77.

What is the ECO code for the Yugoslav Attack, Main Line?

The Yugoslav Attack, Main Line 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, Main Line 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 Bd7 10. Bb3 at +0.32 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, Main Line 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.