1.e4 — the open games
Accelerated Dragon
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 g6ECO B34–B39
Black fianchettoes early with …g6 and delays …d6, aiming for a quick …d5 break in one go and sidestepping some of the Dragon's sharpest attacks. Solid, flexible, and a touch less theory-heavy than its cousin.
Key ideas
- By holding back …d6, Black hopes to play …d5 in a single move, freeing the position.
- The g7-bishop rakes the long diagonal and supports queenside pressure down the c-file.
- White's critical try is the Maróczy Bind (c4), clamping down on d5 and the …d5 break.
Who it suits
Sicilian players who like the Dragon bishop but want a solider, lower-theory route.
Add it to your repertoire.
Drill the Accelerated Dragon move by move against the board until it's second nature.
Open the trainer