Sicilian, Accelerated Dragon

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SteelWheels

Would you take this variation? If so, why?

Accelerated Dragon: 4...g6

Chess zhor 22.png
Chess zver 22.png a8 rd b8 __ c8 bd d8 qd e8 kd f8 bd g8 nd h8 rd Chess zver 22.png
a7 pd b7 pd c7 __ d7 pd e7 pd f7 pd g7 __ h7 pd
a6 __ b6 __ c6 nd d6 __ e6 __ f6 __ g6 pd h6 __
a5 __ b5 __ c5 __ d5 __ e5 __ f5 __ g5 __ h5 __
a4 __ b4 __ c4 __ d4 nl e4 pl f4 __ g4 __ h4 __
a3 __ b3 __ c3 __ d3 __ e3 __ f3 __ g3 __ h3 __
a2 pl b2 pl c2 pl d2 __ e2 __ f2 pl g2 pl h2 pl
a1 rl b1 nl c1 bl d1 ql e1 kl f1 bl g1 __ h1 rl
Chess zhor 22.png
The Accelerated Dragon: 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 g6

Like the standard Dragon Variation, Black develops his bishop to g7 in the Accelerated Dragon. The difference is that Black avoids playing ...d7-d6, so that he can later play ...d7-d5 in one move if possible. For example, if White tries to play in the style of the Yugoslav Attack with 5.Nc3 Bg7 6.Be3 Nf6 7.f3 0-0 8.Qd2, 8...d5! equalizes immediately. When White does play 5.Nc3, it is usually with the idea of continuing 5...Bg7 6.Be3 Nf6 7.Bc4 0-0 8.Bb3 (forestalling any tricks involving ...Nxe4 and ...d5), followed by kingside castling.

The critical test of Black's move order is 5.c4, the Maróczy Bind. White hopes to cramp Black's position by impeding the ...d7-d5 and ...b7-b5 pawn thrusts. Generally, this line is less tactical than many of the other Sicilian variations, and play involves much strategic manoeuvring on both sides. After 5.c4, the main line runs 5...Bg7 6.Be3 Nf6 7.Nc3 and now 7...0-0 or 7...Ng4 is most frequently played.

westcoastchess

right, the Yugoslav doesnt work, which is the best try in the normal dragon. I believe the Alburt/Roman Dz. book has some great lines against the Maroczy Bind.