Sicilian Defense: Accelerated Dragon
The Accelerated Dragon is the Open Sicilian with 4...g6, where Black fianchettoes before playing ...d6. Black aims for the ...d5 break in one move and a strong g7 bishop, while White chooses between grabbing space with the Maroczy Bind or developing quickly.
- Moves
- 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 g6
- ECO
- B32
- Engine
- +0.51 · a slight edge for White (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
- Played
- 9,601 games in our lichess sample
- White scores
- 49.9%
Key ideas for both sides
White
- 5.c4 sets up the Maroczy Bind: pawns on c4 and e4 stop the ...d5 break for a long time.
- 5.Be3 and Nc3 lead to normal development; Bc4 aims at f7 and prepares Bb3.
- Nxc6 trades knights at once; a recapture with the d-pawn allows an early queen trade, while the b-pawn recapture gives Black more center.
- In all lines, keep control of d5 and watch the g7 bishop on the long diagonal.
Black
- Develop with ...Bg7 and ...Nf6 and castle quickly, keeping the d-pawn on d7 for now.
- Against slow setups, aim for ...d5 in one move, which frees your game.
- Against the Maroczy Bind, trade knights with ...Nxd4 and develop with ...d6, ...Be6 and ...a5.
- Watch for tactics on c3 and e4 with your bishop on g7.
Plans and pawn structure
Black's fianchetto bishop is the key piece. Black wants to play ...d5 at once when allowed, to avoid the ...d6 structure. White's main plan is the Maroczy Bind with c4, which clamps d5 and gives a space edge. Then Black trades pieces, plays ...a5 and ...Qb6 ideas, and looks for ...b5 or ...f5 breaks. In open lines without c4, Black's ...d5 break and quick play on the c-file are key ideas.
Where the engine's main line heads: Maroczy bind: White pawns on c4 and e4. The Maroczy bind: White pawns on c4 and e4 clamp the d5 square, so Black's ...d5 and ...b5 breaks are hard to play.
What the engine plays from here
Stockfish 17.1 at depth 20 rates the position +0.51: a slight edge for White. Its three top choices for White:
- +0.51 5.c4 Nf6 6.Nc3 d6 7.Be2 Nxd4
- +0.35 5.Be3 Nf6 6.Nc3 Bg7 7.Bc4 O-O
- +0.32 5.Nc3 Bg7 6.Be3 Nf6 7.Bc4 O-O
Pawns, from White's side.
How it scores on lichess
9,601 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 49.9%.
Light: White wins. Grey: draws. Dark: Black wins. About the sample.
Where it goes next
- Accelerated Dragon, Modern Variation5.Nc3 · 3,636 games
- Accelerated Dragon, Exchange Variation5.Nxc6 · 1,869 games
- Accelerated Dragon, Maróczy Bind5.c4 · 1,629 games
- Dragon Variation, Classical Variation, Spielmann Variation5.Nc3 · rare
- Accelerated Dragon, Maróczy Bind, Breyer Variation5.c4 · rare
- Dragon Variation, Classical Variation, Zollner Gambit5.Be3 · rare
How to play against it
With White, play 5.c4 if you want a lasting space edge, or 5.Nc3 for open play with Be3 and Bc4. Do not allow ...d5 for free. With Black, know the Maroczy Bind ideas: trade a pair of knights, avoid passive setups and prepare the ...b5 or ...f5 breaks.
Questions
What are the moves of the Sicilian Defense: Accelerated Dragon?
The Sicilian Defense: Accelerated Dragon starts 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 g6. Its ECO code is B32.
Is the Sicilian Defense: Accelerated Dragon good for Black?
Stockfish 17.1 rates the position +0.51 at depth 20, which is a slight edge for White. In 9,601 lichess games from our sample, White scored 49.9%. A strong choice for positional Black players who like long maneuvering fights, while White needs to know the Maroczy Bind ideas.
What is the main idea of the Sicilian Defense: Accelerated Dragon?
Black fianchettoes early to keep the option of ...d5 in one move. White's main answer is c4, setting up the Maroczy Bind and stopping that break.
What should White play next?
The engine's first choice is c4, with Be3 and Nc3 close behind. 5.c4 sets up the Maroczy Bind, clamping d5 and gaining a lasting space edge.
Related lines
- Sicilian Defense
- Bowdler Attack
- Old Sicilian
- Closed
- Alapin Variation
- Modern Variations
- How to beat the Sicilian Defenseguide
Updated October 2026. Sources and method.