Sicilian Defense: Dragon Variation, Classical Variation, Spielmann Variation position after 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 g6 5.Nc3 Bg7 6.Be3 Nf6 7.Be2 O-O 8.Nb3 d6 9.O-O Be6 10.f4 Na5 11.f5 Bc4 12.Bd3. White: pawn on f5, pawn on e4, knight on b3, knight on c3, bishop on d3, bishop on e3, pawn on a2, pawn on b2, pawn on c2, pawn on g2, pawn on h2, rook on a1, queen on d1, rook on f1, king on g1. Black: rook on a8, queen on d8, rook on f8, king on g8, pawn on a7, pawn on b7, pawn on e7, pawn on f7, bishop on g7, pawn on h7, pawn on d6, knight on f6, pawn on g6, knight on a5, bishop on c4.
Sicilian Defense: Dragon Variation, Classical Variation, Spielmann Variation is a chess opening that arises after 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 g6 5.Nc3 Bg7 6.Be3 Nf6 7.Be2 O-O 8.Nb3 d6 9.O-O Be6 10.f4 Na5 11.f5 Bc4 12.Bd3. It is classified B74 in the ECO system, and the position after these moves has black to move. The Sicilian Defense is Black's most popular answer to 1.e4, meeting it with 1...c5 to fight for the centre asymmetrically rather than mirroring White's pawn. Because the pawn structures that result are unbalanced from move one, the Sicilian produces sharper and more double-edged positions than any other reply to the king's pawn, and it has the best practical scoring record for Black at master level.
Strategic character
Black accepts a slight lag in development in exchange for a queenside pawn majority and the half-open c-file, which becomes the main artery for counterplay. White typically attacks on the kingside while Black attacks on the queenside, so games often become a race in which tempo matters more than material.
Who should play it
Players who want winning chances with Black and are willing to learn theory. The main lines are heavily analysed, and being caught unprepared in the Najdorf or Dragon can lose quickly.
This line is a variation within the Sicilian Defense family. The strategic ideas above describe the family as a whole; this particular line reaches them by the move order 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 g6 5.Nc3 Bg7 6.Be3 Nf6 7.Be2 O-O 8.Nb3 d6 9.O-O Be6 10.f4 Na5 11.f5 Bc4 12.Bd3.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Sicilian Defense: Dragon Variation, Classical Variation, Spielmann Variation?
The Sicilian Defense: Dragon Variation, Classical Variation, Spielmann Variation is a chess opening that arises after 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 g6 5.Nc3 Bg7 6.Be3 Nf6 7.Be2 O-O 8.Nb3 d6 9.O-O Be6 10.f4 Na5 11.f5 Bc4 12.Bd3. It is classified B74 in the ECO system. The Sicilian Defense is Black's most popular answer to 1.e4, meeting it with 1...c5 to fight for the centre asymmetrically rather than mirroring White's pawn. Because the pawn structures that result are unbalanced from move one, the Sicilian produces sharper and more double-edged positions than any other reply to the king's pawn, and it has the best practical scoring record for Black at master level.
What are the moves of the Sicilian Defense: Dragon Variation, Classical Variation, Spielmann Variation?
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 g6 5.Nc3 Bg7 6.Be3 Nf6 7.Be2 O-O 8.Nb3 d6 9.O-O Be6 10.f4 Na5 11.f5 Bc4 12.Bd3. After these moves it is black to move.
Is the Sicilian Defense: Dragon Variation, Classical Variation, Spielmann Variation good for beginners?
Players who want winning chances with Black and are willing to learn theory. The main lines are heavily analysed, and being caught unprepared in the Najdorf or Dragon can lose quickly.