Sicilian Defense: Accelerated Dragon
The Accelerated Dragon (1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 g6) fianchettoes the bishop immediately, avoiding the main Dragon lines. Black saves a tempo by not playing ...d6, aiming for quick counterplay.
← All openingsKey ideas
Fianchetto immediately to save tempo; Avoid the Yugoslav Attack; Prepare d7-d5 break when possible; Maintain flexibility in pawn structure
Strengths
Avoids sharpest Dragon lines; more flexible setup; faster development; sidesteps Yugoslav Attack; less theory to memorize
Watch out for
White can play the Maroczy Bind (c4) gaining space; less tactical than main Dragon; can be slow if White avoids complications
Typical pawn structure
Black: g6, Bg7 fianchetto structure; more flexible than main Dragon as d6 may not be played
Common mistakes
Allowing the Maroczy Bind without preparation; Playing d7-d5 prematurely; Neglecting piece development; Passive play on the queenside
History
Became popular when players sought to avoid the heavily-analyzed Yugoslav Attack in the main Dragon. Anand and other top GMs have used it to avoid opponents' preparation.
Famous games
Anand vs Kramnik, 2008; Gelfand vs Grischuk, 2012