Chess Openings Lab
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Sicilian Defense: Dragon Variation

The Dragon Variation is 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 g6, where Black prepares ...Bg7 to aim down the long diagonal. White usually builds Be3, f3, Qd2 and castles long to attack, while Black counterattacks on the queenside and center.

Moves
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 g6
ECO
B70, B72
Engine
+0.53 · a slight edge for White (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
Played
6,168 games in our lichess sample
White scores
50.0%

Key ideas for both sides

White

  • 6.Be3 with f3, Qd2 and O-O-O is the main plan; it supports Bh6 to trade the g7 bishop.
  • Push h4 and h5 later to open the h-file against the castled king on g8.
  • Calmer moves like Be2 and O-O give a positional game where Black is fine but less tactical.
  • Bc4 controls d5 and aims at f7, so ...d5 becomes harder for Black.

Black

  • Finish with ...Bg7, ...Nc6 and ...O-O, then look at ...d5 to hit the center at once.
  • Use the c-file with a rook on c8 and ...Qa5 when White castles long.
  • The bishop on g7 is the key piece. Avoid trades that let White remove it cheaply.
  • Watch for Nxc6 and e5 tricks after ...d5, and know which recapture keeps the center.

Plans and pawn structure

The g7 bishop sets the tone. White wants to trade it with Be3, Qd2 and Bh6, then open the h-file with h4 and h5 while the king sits on c1. Black races on the other wing with ...Nc6, a rook on the c-file and sometimes ...Qa5, or breaks with ...d5 to fight the center. In the quieter lines with Be2 and short castling, Black often gets a comfortable game with ...Nc6 and ...d5 or ...Be6.

What the engine plays from here

Stockfish 17.1 at depth 20 rates the position +0.53: a slight edge for White. Its three top choices for White:

  1. +0.53 6.Be3 Bg7 7.f3 Nc6 8.Qd2 O-O
  2. +0.49 6.f3 Nc6 7.Be3 Bg7 8.Qd2 O-O
  3. +0.41 6.Bc4 Bg7 7.f3 Nc6 8.Be3 O-O

Pawns, from White's side.

How it scores on lichess

6,168 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 50.0%.

under 120040.4%
1200–159951.3%
1600–199948.9%
2000 and up51.4%

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

Where it goes next

  • Dragon Variation, Yugoslav Attack6.Be3 · 2,193 games
  • Dragon Variation, Classical Variation6.Be2 · 912 games
  • Dragon Variation, Fianchetto Variation6.g3 · rare
  • Dragon Variation, Levenfish Variation, Main Line6.f4 · rare
  • Dragon Variation, Yugoslav Attack, Soltis Variation6.Be3 · rare
  • Dragon Variation, Classical Variation, Tartakower Line6.Be2 · rare

How to play against it

With White, pick one system and learn it well. The Be3, f3, Qd2 setup is direct, and f3 keeps ...Ng4 off the bishop. Do not allow ...d5 for free, since it opens the g7 bishop's diagonal toward your king. In opposite-side castling races, one tempo often decides who mates first.

Other lines with this name

The lichess opening list also files this line under the same name, though it reaches a different position: 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 g6 6.Be3.

Questions

What are the moves of the Sicilian Defense: Dragon Variation?

The Sicilian Defense: Dragon Variation starts 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 g6. Its ECO code is B70, B72.

Is the Sicilian Defense: Dragon Variation good for Black?

Stockfish 17.1 rates the position +0.53 at depth 20, which is a slight edge for White. In 6,168 lichess games from our sample, White scored 50.0%. Best for tactically minded players who will study the sharp lines; a loose move order often loses quickly for either side.

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

Black fianchettoes the bishop on g7 to rake the long diagonal toward White's queenside. White often castles long and storms the kingside, so both sides race to attack first.

What should White play next?

The engine's first choice is Be3, with f3 and Bc4 close behind. 6.Be3 prepares f3, Qd2 and long castling, the most direct attacking setup.

Updated October 2026. Sources and method.