Chess Opening Theory/1. e4/1...c5/2. Nf3/2...d6/3. d4/3...cxd4/4. Nxd4/4...Nf6/5. Nc3/5...g6/6. Be3

Dragon variation B72 Sicilian defence → Dragon variation 6. Be3 White develops their bishop. This prepares to castle queenside and usually leads to the Yugoslav attack. 6...Bg7 is the most logical and main line continuation, developing the bishop as prepared by ...g6 and preparing to castle. 6...Nc6 is an alternative. This is really a waiting move where Black delays committing their bishop. 7. f3 h5 is the Hungarian variation, and Black has the idea of meeting 8. Qd2 with 8...Nxd4 9. Bxd4 Bh6! 10. Be3 Bxe3 11. Qxe3, trading off the minor pieces and so easing the discomfort of being down on space. If Black is tempted to play 6...Ng4??, hoping to chop off White's dark-squared Bishop and leave their bishop unopposed, they should be warned that this a beginner's mistake which loses horribly to 7. Bb5+. 7...Nd7 8. Qxg4 wins the knight. 7...Bd7 8. Qxg4 also wins the knight, since the Bishop on d7 is pinned. 7...Nc6 8. Nxc6 bxc6 9. Bxc6+, forking the king and rook and winning the exchange and a pawn. Theory table 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 g6 6.Be3 ...Bg7 += Ng4??+/- References See also Sicilian Defence, Dragon Variation fi:Shakkiaapinen/Peli/1. e4/1...c5/2. Rf3/2...d6/3. d4/3...cxd4/4. Rxd4/4...Rf6/5. Rc3/5...g6/6. Be3