Sicilian Defense: Dragon Variation. Yugoslav Attack, Modern Line

VISWANATHAN ANAND vs. MANUEL APICELLA
Champigny sur Marne op, 1984

1. e4, e5
2. Nf3, d6
3. d4, cxd4
4. Nxd4, Nf6
5. Nc3, g6
6. Be3, Bg7
7. f3, 0-0

So far, we have seen the main line of the Sicilian, Dragon Variation.

8. Qd2 ...

White prepares to castle on the Queen side.

8. ... Nc6
9. 0-0-0, Bd7
10. h4!, Qa5

Black plans to attack the a2 pawn, presumably Black's weakest spot.

11. g4!, Rfc8
12. Nb3 ...

Effectively driving away Black's Queen.

12. ... Qe5
13. g5!, Nb4?!

Again, Black prematurely attacks the a2 pawn.  He is hoping for 14. a3 Na2+, 15. Nxa2 Nxe4, 16. fxe4 Qxb2 mate.   But White's reply is unexpected.

14. Bd4! ...

Effectively destroying Black's line of attack.

14. ... Qe6
15. gxf6, exf6
16. Kb1, a5
17. Bh3, Qe8
18. Bxd7, Qxd7
19. a3, Nc6
20. Nd5, Nxd4
21. Nxd4, Qd8

Black prevents Nb6.

22. h5!, b5
23. hxg6, hxg6
24. Nf5! ...

White threatens 25. Nxg7 Kxg7, 26. Qh6+!!

24. ... gxf5
25. Rdg1!   Resigns

Black has no defense against White's eventual Qg2.  Now, if 25....Qf8, then 26. Nxf6 mate.

If 25....Kf8 then 26. Rxg7 Ke8, 27. Rh8+ Kd7, 28. Rxf7+ Kc6, 29. Rxd8 Rxd8, 30. Rc7 mate.

A gem of a game.

Sicilian Defense, Dragon-Yugoslav Attack, Panov Variation

VISWANATHAN ANAND vs. ANDREW JONATHAN MESTEL
London, 1985

1. e4, c5
2. Nf3, d6
3. d4, cxd4
4. Nxd4, Nf6
5. Nc3, g6
6. Be3, Bg7
7. f3, 0-0
8. Qd2 ....

The Dragon Variation of the Sicilian.  Notice the dragon-shaped outline of White's pieces.

8. .... Nc6
9. g4 ....

The Panov Variation.

9. .... Be6
10. 0-0-0, Ne5
11. h4, Bc4
12. Bh3, Ba6
13. b3 ....

Preventing 13.....Nc4 which would be favorable for Black.

13. .... Qa5
14. Kb1, Qa3
15. g5, Nh5
16. f4, Nc6
17. Bg4, Nb4
18. Bxh5, gxh5
19. Nf5, Rfe8

Protects the e-pawn.  If 19.....Bxc3, 20. Qxc3 Qxa2+, 21. Kc1, the position would benefit White more.

20. Nxg7, Kxg7
21. Qd4+, e5
22. Qxd6, Rac8
23. Qf6+, Kg8
24. Rd7 ....

Unperturbed by dangers in his own turf, White pushes on with the attack.

24. .... Rf8
25. g6!! ....

Black resigns.  He cannot avoid mate after 25.....hxg6, 26. Rg1 Kh7, 27. Rxg6.

Bobby Fischer's Sicilian Dragon

BOBBY FISCHER vs. E. STEPHANS
Cleveland US-Open 1957
Sicilian Defense: Dragon Variation, Yugoslav Attack

1. e4, c5
2. Nf3, d6
3. d4, cxd4
4. Nxd4, Nf6
5. Nc3, g6
6. Be3, Nc6
7. f3, Bg7
8. Qd2, 0-0
9. Bc4 ....

The Yugoslav Attack of the Dragon Variation.  This opening results in extremely tactical and decisive battles. White keeps a firm grip on the center while advancing aggressively towards the enemy king with f2-f4-f5 and even g2-g3-g4. However, danger exists in overextending and allowing Black to gain the initiative with a deadly counter-attack. Black's strategy is centered around the half-open c file and his ability to push the a and b pawns. Throughout the entire course of the battle, Black will be looking to break the center with an advance from d6-d5. Black can even sometimes obtain a winning endgame even after sacrificing the exchange, because of White's h-pawn sacrifice, doubled isolated c-pawns and most importantly the lack of mobility of the white Rooks compared to the Black minor pieces.  (Source:  Wikipedia)

9. .... a6
10. 0-0-0, Qc7
11. Bb3, b5
12. Nxc6, Qxc6
13. Nd5, Kh8

White threatens 14. Nxe7 double-check. 

14. Nxf6!! ....

Far more powerful than 14. Nxe7 Qb7, 15. Nxc8 Raxc8, and Black gains control of the open c-file.

14. .... e6

Blocking 15. Bd5.  Now, White has gained a piece!

15. Bh6, Bb7
16. Bxg7+, Kxg7
17. Ng4, f5
18. exf5, Rxf5
19. Qxd6, h5
20. Qe7+, Rf7
21. Qxf7, Kxf7
22. Ne5+, Ke7
23. Nxc6+, Bxc6
24. Rhe1, Bd7
25. Rxd7+, Resigns

With material and strategic advantage, White will ultimately capture Black's remaining pawns.

Sicilian Defense, Dragon Variation; Yugoslav Attack

MIKHAIL TAL vs. SVIRIDOV
Stuttgart Simultaneous Exhibition, 1969

Sicilian Defense, Dragon Variation; Yugoslav Attack

1. e4, c5
2. Nf3, d6
3. d4, cxd4
4. Nxd4, Nf6
5. Nc3, g6
6. Be3, Bg7
7. f3 ....

The Yugoslav Attack. This opening supports the e4 pawn and promotes the mobility of both Bishops.

7. .... Nc6
8. Qd2, Bd7
9. 0-0-0, Qa5
10. Kb1, Rc8
11. g4, h6
12. h4, a6
13. Be2, Ne5
14. g5!! ....

14. .... hxg5
15. hxg5, Rxh1
16. gxf6, Rxd1+
17. Nxd1!! ....

This move gains a tempo, as it forces the Black Queen to make a move.

17. .... Qxd2
18. fxg7, Resigns

Black cannot prevent the pawn from being promoted. If 18....Kd8, then 19. g8=Q+ Kc7, 20. Qxc8 Bxc8, 21. Bxd2 and White is a piece ahead