Sicilian Defense: Dragon Variation, Yugoslav Attack, Topalov Variation position after 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 g6 6.Be3 Bg7 7.f3 O-O 8.Qd2 Nc6 9.Bc4 Bd7 10.O-O-O Rc8 11.Bb3 Nxd4 12.Bxd4. White: bishop on d4, pawn on e4, bishop on b3, knight on c3, pawn on f3, pawn on a2, pawn on b2, pawn on c2, queen on d2, pawn on g2, pawn on h2, king on c1, rook on d1, rook on h1. Black: rook on c8, queen on d8, rook on f8, king on g8, pawn on a7, pawn on b7, bishop on d7, pawn on e7, pawn on f7, bishop on g7, pawn on h7, pawn on d6, knight on f6, pawn on g6.
Sicilian Defense: Dragon Variation, Yugoslav Attack, Topalov Variation is a chess opening that arises after 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 g6 6.Be3 Bg7 7.f3 O-O 8.Qd2 Nc6 9.Bc4 Bd7 10.O-O-O Rc8 11.Bb3 Nxd4 12.Bxd4. It is classified B78 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 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 g6 6.Be3 Bg7 7.f3 O-O 8.Qd2 Nc6 9.Bc4 Bd7 10.O-O-O Rc8 11.Bb3 Nxd4 12.Bxd4.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Sicilian Defense: Dragon Variation, Yugoslav Attack, Topalov Variation?
The Sicilian Defense: Dragon Variation, Yugoslav Attack, Topalov Variation is a chess opening that arises after 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 g6 6.Be3 Bg7 7.f3 O-O 8.Qd2 Nc6 9.Bc4 Bd7 10.O-O-O Rc8 11.Bb3 Nxd4 12.Bxd4. It is classified B78 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, Yugoslav Attack, Topalov Variation?
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 g6 6.Be3 Bg7 7.f3 O-O 8.Qd2 Nc6 9.Bc4 Bd7 10.O-O-O Rc8 11.Bb3 Nxd4 12.Bxd4. After these moves it is black to move.
Is the Sicilian Defense: Dragon Variation, Yugoslav Attack, Topalov 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.