Two lines from our repertoire
Follow each line from the starting position. The notes explain the position after the displayed move, including the plan for the next move. These are repertoire examples; your opponent can choose other replies.
Pause at the diagrams to see the idea. The highlighted squares show the last move; the note explains what comes next.
Moves use international algebraic notation: N = knight, B = bishop, R = rook, Q = queen, K = king.
1. Introduction to the Dragon Variation
1. e4After 1. e4We play ♟c7-c5, taking control of the d4 square
1... c52. Nf3After 2. Nf3We play ♟g7-g6, employing the Accelerated Dragon variation in practice
2... g63. d4After 3. d4Most often, White responds by taking control of the center. In reply, we exchange with ♟c5xd4, not allowing them to increase their advantage after the advance ♟d4–d5.
3... cxd4
After 4. Nxd4Black to move. At the board4. Nxd4After 4. Nxd4We play ♝f8-g7, developing the bishop to the long diagonal
4... Bg75. Nc3After 5. Nc3How to continue development: ♞g8-f6 or ♞b8-c6? In the first case, there is a risk of facing ♟e4-e5, after which you would have to retreat. Therefore, we start specifically with ♞b8-c6.
5... Nc66. Be3After 6. Be3Now we play ♞g8-f6, bringing the second knight into the game and getting closer to castling
6... Nf67. f3After 7. f3The most popular continuation among players rated under 2000. White reinforces ♟e4, sacrificing time for development. The plan is simple: castling followed by advancing ♟d7-d5, igniting fireworks in the center!
7... O-OAfter 8. Qd2Black to move. At the board8. Qd2After 8. Qd2White are clearly not yet ready for decisive actions in the center, which we take advantage of by exploding the center with ♟d7-d5, forcing White to make the first serious decision!
8... d59. Nxc6After 9. Nxc6An attempt to simplify the position only benefits Black, because: 1) the "b" file is opened for ♜a8, allowing a potential attack; 2) control over ♟d5 is improved. We capture the knight in response!
9... bxc610. O-O-OAfter 10. O-O-OWith their last move, White attacked ♟d5, which we don’t have time to defend passively: activity above all! We play ♛d8-a5, setting up active play against ♚c1. The attack will be joined by: ♛a5, ♜b8, and the powerful ♝g7.
10... Qa511. Kb1After 11. Kb1White can choose the prophylactic move ♚b1, taking control of ♟a2. We continue to bring our pieces closer to the attack: ♜a8-b8 with a clear temptation to sacrifice ♜b8xb2 in the future!
11... Rb8After 11... Rb8White might have thought that we blundered a ♟, since after the exchange ♛a5xd2 White has an intermediate move ♞d5xe7, thus winning the ♟d5 outright. BUT White misses a "boar" blow — ♜b8xb2, opening up the ♚.
After 12. Nxd5Black to move. At the board12. Nxd5After 12. Nxd5White might have thought that we blundered a ♟, since after the exchange ♛a5xd2, White has an intermediate blow with ♞d5xe7, fully winning the ♟d5. BUT White overlooks a "boar-like" blow — ♜b8xb2, exposing the ♚.
12... Rxb2+After 12... Rxb2+Now that ♚b2 is on the same diagonal as ♝g7 — we play ♞f6xe4 to win the game
13. Kxb2After 13. Kxb2Now that ♚b2 is on the same diagonal as ♝g7 — we play ♞f6xe4, winning the game
13... Nxe4+14. Bd4After 14. Bd4We capture the queen — ♞e4xd2
14... Nxd2After 14... Nxd2We get out of check!
15. Nxe7+After 15. Nxe7+We capture the queen — ♞e4xd2!
15... Kh816. Bxg7+After 16. Bxg7+We capture the bishop in return — ♚h8xg7!
After 16... Kxg7White to move. At the board16... Kxg7
2. Using the ♝g7 as intended
1. e4After 1. e4We play ♟c7-c5, taking control of the d4 square
1... c52. Nf3After 2. Nf3We play ♟g7-g6, employing the Accelerated Dragon variation in practice
2... g63. d4After 3. d4Most often, White responds by seizing the center. In response, we exchange with ♟c5xd4, not allowing them to increase their advantage after the advance ♟d4–d5.
3... cxd4After 4. Nxd4Black to move. At the board4. Nxd4After 4. Nxd4We play ♝f8-g7, developing the bishop to the long diagonal
4... Bg75. Nc3After 5. Nc3How to continue developing: ♞g8-f6 or ♞b8-c6? In the first case, there’s a risk of facing ♟e4-e5, after which you’ll have to retreat. That’s why we start with ♞b8-c6.
5... Nc66. Be3After 6. Be3Now we play ♞g8-f6, bringing the second knight into play and getting closer to castling.
6... Nf67. f3After 7. f3The most popular continuation among players rated below 2000. White reinforces ♟e4, sacrificing time for development. The plan is simple: castling followed by the advance ♟d7-d5, igniting fireworks in the center!
7... O-OAfter 8. Qd2Black to move. At the board8. Qd2After 8. Qd2White is clearly not yet ready for decisive actions in the center, which we take advantage of by blowing open the center with ♟d7-d5, forcing White to make the first serious decision!
8... d59. Nxc6After 9. Nxc6An attempt to simplify the position only benefits Black, because: 1) the "b" file opens for ♜a8, creating a potential attack; 2) control over ♟d5 is improved. We capture the knight in response!
9... bxc610. O-O-OAfter 10. O-O-OWith their last move, White attacked ♟d5, and we don't have time to waste on its defense: activity above all! We play ♛d8-a5, setting up active play against ♚c1. The attack will involve: ♛a5, ♜b8, and the powerful ♝g7.
10... Qa511. Kb1After 11. Kb1Белые могут избрать профилактический ♚b1, беря под контроль ♟a2. Продолжаем приближать фигуры к атаке: ♜a8-b8 с явным соблазном нанести жертву ♜b8xb2 в перспективе!
11... Rb8After 12. e5Black to move. At the board12. e5After 12. e5If White decides to block our dangerous ♝g7, they don’t really succeed. We play ♞f6-d7, forcing White to play ♟f2-f4.
12... Nd713. f4After 13. f4It may seem that our ♝g7 is blocked forever from active play, but not so! We play ♟f7-f6, instantly undermining White's formidable center.
13... f614. e6After 14. e6The icing on the cake of our idea turns out to be the spectacular move — ♟f6-f5, which opens up our ♝g7!
14... f515. Bd4After 15. Bd4White has to block the diagonal to avoid the blow ♝g7xc3. We exchange ♝g7xd4, moving on to address the issue of ♞d7.
15... Bxd416. Qxd4After 16. Qxd4By the way, taking the opportunity, we can play ♜b8-b4, activating the rook and at the same time chasing away the ♛d4 from its central position.
16... Rb417. Qd2After 17. Qd2To achieve a comfortable winning position, all that remains is to play ♞d7-c5, followed by capturing ♟e6!
After 17... Nc5White to move. At the board17... Nc5
Original commentary from Theoria’s opening lessons, prepared by FIDE Master Maksims Golubovskis.
Put the idea on the board
Open this opening in the trainer to study and practise its lines. Start with one line, explain the purpose of each move, then try to recall it without hints.