Chess Openings Lab
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Sicilian Defense: Accelerated Dragon, Modern Variation

The Modern Variation of the Accelerated Dragon is 5.Nc3, where White develops instead of setting up the Maroczy Bind with c4. Black now gets the chance to play ...d5 in one move, while White aims for Be3, Bc4 and a fast attack.

Moves
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 g6 5.Nc3
ECO
B34
Engine
+0.27 · level (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
Played
3,636 games in our lichess sample
White scores
49.5%

Key ideas for both sides

White

  • Play Be3 and Bc4 next, aiming at f7 and supporting the d4 knight.
  • If Black plays ...Nf6 too early, Nxc6 and e5 drive the knight away and gain space.
  • Use f3 and Qd2 to prepare long castling and an h4 push.
  • Keep watch on the d5 square; if Black plays ...d5, recapture with your pieces and stay active.

Black

  • 5...Bg7 is the engine's best: it develops and keeps both ...Nf6 and the ...d5 plan.
  • Avoid 5...Nf6, which allows Nxc6 and after ...dxc6 an early queen trade where Black's king loses castling.
  • After Be3 and Bc4, play ...Nf6 and ...O-O, then look for ...d5 to open the center.
  • Keep the c-file in mind: ...Qa5 pins the c3 knight once the d2 square is empty.

Plans and pawn structure

Without c4, the d5 square is less controlled, so Black aims to play ...d5 and free the game. White develops with Be3 and Bc4 and often uses f3 and Qd2 to prepare long castling. The middlegame can be sharp, with White attacking on the kingside and Black using the c-file and the g7 bishop. If Black achieves ...d5 safely, the position is level and active.

What the engine plays from here

Stockfish 17.1 at depth 20 rates the position +0.27: level. Its three top choices for Black:

  1. +0.27 5...Bg7 6.Be3 Nf6 7.Bc4 O-O 8.Bb3
  2. +0.44 5...Nf6 6.Nxc6 dxc6 7.Qxd8+ Kxd8 8.Bc4
  3. +0.60 5...d6 6.f3 h5 7.Be3 Nf6 8.h3

Pawns, from White's side.

How it scores on lichess

3,636 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 49.5%.

under 120042.9%
1200–159949.0%
1600–199950.2%
2000 and up49.1%

Light: White wins. Grey: draws. Dark: Black wins. About the sample.

Where it goes next

How to play against it

With Black, play 5...Bg7 and develop before ...Nf6, so Nxc6 and e5 tricks do not work. Aim for ...d5 when your pieces are ready. With White, keep d5 under control and develop quickly with Be3 and Bc4, then decide between short castling and the f3 and Qd2 setup.

Questions

What are the moves of the Sicilian Defense: Accelerated Dragon, Modern Variation?

The Sicilian Defense: Accelerated Dragon, Modern Variation starts 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 g6 5.Nc3. Its ECO code is B34.

Is the Sicilian Defense: Accelerated Dragon, Modern Variation good for White?

Stockfish 17.1 rates the position +0.27 at depth 20, which is level. In 3,636 lichess games from our sample, White scored 49.5%. A sharp, open line suited to players who like active piece play on both sides.

What is the main idea of the Sicilian Defense: Accelerated Dragon, Modern Variation?

White skips the Maroczy Bind and develops with Nc3. Black's goal is to play ...d5 in one move, while White aims for Be3, Bc4 and a kingside attack.

What should Black play next?

The engine's first choice is Bg7, with Nf6 and d6 close behind. 5...Bg7 develops and keeps the ...d5 plan, avoiding the early Nxc6 tricks.

Updated October 2026. Sources and method.