The Sicilian Dragadorf [B75] Purchases from our

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This month I cover the Dragadorf, a combination of the Dragon and Najdorf
accessible:
systems in the Sicilian. When you have two (or more) great things, combining
everything into one does not always work. However, the Dragadorf seems to
be doing quite well.

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4

The Open Sicilian, the most complicated White response, but probably the
most challenging.
The
3...cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 g6
Openings
This move signifies that Black is playing the Dragon variation, which is one
Explained of the most popular and exciting openings in chess. The Dragon features a ECO B
bishop on g7 that cuts across the board to the White queenside, where White by Chess Informant
often castles, and a rook on c8 that targets the knight on c3. White will attack
Abby Marshall with pawns on the kingside, since the pawn on g6 is a target. Meanwhile,
Black will attack with pieces, because a pawn storm is too slow and has no
obvious targets.

6.Be3
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This is a common response that prepares White to castle queenside.

6...Bg7

Black puts the Dragon bishop into place.

Killer Dragon
7.f3 by Simon Williams

This is the start of the Yugoslav attack. The Yugoslav is an extremely sharp
response to the Dragon. White and Black castle on opposite sites of the board
and then throw everything at the enemy king. If you are playing a much
higher-rated opponent, it can be attractive not to play the main lines, since you
may feel that your opponent must know the theory better than you. The
problem is that a stronger player will likely beat you in an offbeat position
that is equal. Play the main lines! The Yugoslav is a great opening to beat
grandmasters.

Play through and download ChessBase Magazine 112

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[FEN "rnbqk2r/pp2ppbp/3p1np1/8/3NP3/
2N1BP2/PPP3PP/R2QKB1R b KQkq - 0 7"]

7...a6

This has been called the Dragadorf. By playing ...g6 and ...a6, Black
incorporates features of both the Dragon and the Najdorf. Since the Najdorf
combines pawn play on the queenside with piece play, and the Dragon usually
doesn't have ...a6, play will likely resemble the Najdorf more than the Dragon.

7...0-0 is how Black usually plays, when 8.Qd2 Nc6 9.Bc4 is the main line
Yugoslav Attack. I recommend playing this, at least at some point, since it is
very tactical and gives you a chance to be on the cutting edge of chess theory.
9...Bd7 10.0-0-0 Rc8 11.Bb3 Ne5 12.Kb1 a6 This is the Dragondorf, not to be
confused with the Dragadorf, at least according to Wikipedia, so make of it
what you want (literally; you can edit the page right now).

8.Qd2

This is the logical follow-up. Black is going to play ...Nbd7 against most
White moves regardless.

8.Bc4 will probably transpose: 8...b5 9.Bb3 Nbd7 10.Qd2 (10.0-0 does not
follow the logic of the Yugoslav Attack. White's dynamism, expressed by
attacking the black king with a pawn storm, is now gone. Black has the c-file
and a nice diagonal for the dark-square bishop.) 10...Bb7 and we transpose.

8...Nbd7

In the Najdorf, Black goes ...Nbd7 in order to play ...Nc5. Here ...b5 is
coming and ...Bb7.

9.Bc4

White puts the bishop on a nice diagonal before Black plays ...b5.

9.g4 This is one of the most direct responses. 9...b5 Black continues with the
plan for ...Bb7. White can go in a few directions here.

[FEN "r1bqk2r/3nppbp/p2p1np1/1p6/3NP1P1/
2N1BP2/PPPQ3P/R3KB1R w KQkq - 0 10"]

10.0-0-0 (10.g5 Nh5 11.Nce2 Bb7 12.Ng3 White tries to untangle from some
of the pressure. It's just a little slow. 12...Nxg3 13.hxg3 d5! In the Najdorf, ...
e5 is a common move, but in these kinds of position it doesn't make much
sense, since it would block the bishop on g7. This makes ...d5 the stronger
move. 14.exd5 Black has the initiative. 14...Ne5; 10.Nc6 This is a tricky
move. 10...Qc7 11.Nxe7 This is the point. If Black takes the knight, then 12.
g5 and if the Black knight moves, Nd5 forks the king and the queen. 11...Bb7
This calm move threatens ...Kxe7 since the bishop covers the d5-square. 12.
Ned5 Bxd5 13.exd5 b4 14.Ne2 Ne5 White is discombobulated.; 10.h4 We
will take a look at this in the first illustrative game. White starts the pawn
storm, but the black king is not yet castled.) 10...Bb7 11.g5 (11.h4 h5 We will
see a different approach in the first illustrative game. Let's focus on the ideas
more than the specific moves. 12.g5 Nh7 13.f4 Nc5 14.Bg2 b4 Playing ...Nc5
and ...b4 are two main goals in the Najdorf, so it makes sense to see them in
the Dragadorf. 15.Nd5 e6 16.Nxb4 Nxe4 17.Qe1 Qc7 18.Bg1 d5
 [FEN "r3k2r/1bq2pbn/p3p1p1/3p2Pp/
1N1NnP1P/8/PPP3B1/2KRQ1BR w kq - 0 19"]

The Dragon bishop on g7 is starting to look very good. 19.Nd3 0-0 20.Kb1
Rfc8 21.c3 Nf8 22.Ne2 d4 23.Bxd4 Nxc3+ A nice tactical shot. 24.Bxc3
Bxg2 25.Rg1 Bf3 26.Ne5 Bxe5 27.fxe5 Nd7 28.Rg3 Be4+ 29.Ka1 Nc5 30.
Re3 Qb7 Bishops of opposite colors are very drawish when it is just kings and
pawns on the board, but otherwise, especially when one side has an attack,
they are particularly deadly. It is hard to oppose the light-square bishop, so it
is like having an extra piece. 31.Rd4 a5 32.Nc1 Bf5 33.Rf4 Rd8 34.Rd4 a4 35.
a3 Rxd4 36.Bxd4 Nb3+ 37.Nxb3 axb3 38.Re2 Ra4 39.Rd2 Qf3 40.Qd1 Qe4
41.Bc3 Qb7 42.Rd4 Rxd4 43.Bxd4 Qd5 44.Qg1 Qe4 45.Bf2 Qxe5 0-1,
Moreno Carnero,J (2514)-Del Rio Angelis,S (2489)/Cala Mendia 2001) 11...
Nh5 0 12.Nce2 (12.Kb1 We will look at this approach in the second
illustrative game.) 12...Nb6 It is more common to see ...Nc5. In this situation,
Black is preparing ...d5. It's interesting, but often attacking the head of the
pawn chain is at least as effective as attacking the base. 13.Ng3 Nxg3 14.hxg3
d5 15.Nb3 Na4 I would prefer to be Black.

9.0-0-0 b5 10.Bh6 This is a common maneuver. In the Najdorf, Black often

keeps the king in the center, where it is safer. However, Black is forced to let
the white queen into h6. Castling would make the king an easier target. (10.g4
This transposes to the line where White plays 9.g4 and 10.0-0-0) 10...Bxh6 11.
Qxh6 Bb7 12.h4 b4 13.Nce2 e5 This is the usual Najdorf move. Since the
dark-squared bishop has been traded off, this move make sense. The play has
turned distinctively Najdorfian. 14.Nb3 Qb6 15.Ng3 Rc8 16.Qd2 Ke7!

[FEN "2r4r/1b1nkp1p/pq1p1np1/4p3/1p2P2P/
1N3PN1/PPPQ2P1/2KR1B1R w - - 0 17"]

The king is quite safe in the center and even contributes to defense of the d6-
pawn. 17.h5 Rc6 18.hxg6 fxg6 19.Bd3 a5 20.Qh6 Rhc8 21.Nd2 Ba6 22.Kb1
a4 A scary-looking advance. ...b3 would force the opening of the b-file. 23.
Bxa6 Qxa6 24.Rc1 Qb6 25.Ne2 Qf2 26.Rhe1 Rxc2 27.Rxc2 Qxe1+ 28.Nc1
Rxc2 29.Kxc2 Nc5 30.g4 Ne6 31.g5 Nd4+ 32.Kb1 Nd7 33.Qxh7+ Kd8 34.
Qg8+ Kc7 35.Qc4+ Nc6 36.Kc2 Nb6 37.Qf7+ Kb8 38.Qf8+ Kb7 This was a
great game from Black. 0-1, Skorchenko,D (2502)-Chuprov,D (2575)/
Voronezh 2008.

9...b5

Black gains space with tempo and prepares to develop the bishop to b7.

10.Bb3
White maintains control over d5.

10...Bb7

The pawn chain g2-f3-e4 is under surveillance from the bishop. ...d5 is going
to be the break.

11.0-0-0

11.Bh6 The idea is to trade off Black's strong bishop and create dark-square
holes on h6, g7, and f6. 11...Bxh6 12.Qxh6 Nc5 (12...Rc8 This quieter move
also looks good.) 13.0-0-0 e5 14.Nde2 Nxb3+ 15.axb3 b4 16.Na4 Qc7 17.Rd2
d5!? This is quite risky since the black king is still in the center. Black wants
to get activity for the bishop on b7. (17...0-0-0!? Two sets of minor pieces
have been exchanged, so the focus on attacking is not as strong on both sides.
Now ...d5 looks even better.) 18.Qg5 Qe7 19.Nb6 Rd8 20.Rhd1 h6 21.Qg3
Nh5 22.Qf2 d4 23.Nc4 0-0 Black has more space. The bishop on b7 can easily
become active by ...f5. The queenside pawns are a bit extended and the white
knight is good on c4, so it is probably about equal.

11...Rc8

[FEN "2rqk2r/1b1nppbp/p2p1np1/1p6/
3NP3/1BN1BP2/PPPQ2PP/2KR3R w k - 0 12"]

The rook goes to c8 in many Sicilian variations. The thematic idea of ...Rxc3
can also be considered at some point.

12.g4

12.Kb1 Ne5 12...Nc5 is the usual idea. This game illustrates the ...Rxc3
sacrifice, so we will focus on that. 13.Bh6 Bxh6 14.Qxh6 Rxc3!? This is
especially effective when the black knight can take a pawn on e4, or when the
bishop is still on g7. Even without those targets, this sacrifice can work out
okay, but not so much in this instance. 15.bxc3 Qb6 16.Rhe1 Kd7 17.f4 Nc4
18.Qg7 Rb8 19.e5 Ne4.

12...Nc5

The knight goes to its usual square to pressure the center.

13.Bh6

We see this plan again.

13...Bxh6 14.Qxh6 b4
 [FEN "2rqk2r/1b2pp1p/p2p1npQ/2n5/
1p1NP1P1/1BN2P2/PPP4P/2KR3R w k - 0 15"]

Black stands very well. ...Qa5 is coming. Black may even castle after the
white queen retreats. Castling would make ...d5 a good possibility. In
conclusion, I am impressed with the Dragadorf. Since it is still fairly new,
there is not a much theory, and my information is taken from the battlefield in
games.

Klimov, Sergey (2521) Solovjov, Sergey (2404)

St Petersburg-ch (11), 18.05.2009

Black does not win by a queenside attack, but by positional advantages.

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 g6 6.Be3 Bg7 7.f3 a6 8.Qd2
Nbd7 9.g4 b5 10.h4

[FEN "r1bqk2r/3nppbp/p2p1np1/1p6/3NP1PP/
2N1BP2/PPPQ4/R3KB1R b KQkq - 0 10"]

Here is where we left off.

10...h6!?

This is an interesting reply. Black is not planning to castle kingside, so this

move maintains maximum flexibility.

11.a4

This is unusual in the violent Najdorf or Dragon. White is going to find it hard
to keep the White king safe.

11.g5?! hxg5 12.Bxg5 b4 This is not a smart strategy for White. The h-pawn
is isolated and Black is about to get ahead in development after ...Bb7.; 11.h5
g5 I think this was the idea. The dark squares are coming under Black control.
12.Nf5 is met by Rg8.; 11.0-0-0 Bb7 And the usual plan of expanding on the
queenside with Rc8, Nc5, and b4.

11...b4

Black kicks the knight from the center.

12.Na2 d5
Gutsy play from Black that tries to take advantage of the fact that Black has
three minor pieces in play while White only has two at the moment. Both
kings are also in the center, though only the White king is on an open file after
the exchange of the e-pawn.

12...a5 13.Bb5 Ba6 This is probably okay too, but gives the White bishop a
diagonal.

13.exd5

13.0-0-0 White can try to get out of the center right away. 13...dxe4 14.Nxb4
Bb7 White's center has dissolved.

13...Nxd5

Now the Dragon bishop looks excellent.

14.Nc6

[FEN "r1bqk2r/3nppb1/p1N3pp/3n4/Pp4PP/
4BP2/NPPQ4/R3KB1R b KQkq - 0 14"]

White enters a forcing line.

14.Nxb4 I do not think it is a wise idea to give Black the two bishops. 14...
Nxe3 15.Qxe3 Qb6 16.c3 Bb7 The two bishops are well worth the pawn.

14...Ne5

The only good move.

15.0-0-0?!

This lets Black get organized. 15.Nxd8 Nxf3+ 16.Kf2 Nxd2 17.Bxd2 Kxd8
This is just equal.

15...Nxc6 16.Qxd5 Qc7

16...Qxd5 17.Rxd5 Bb7 is even stronger.

17.Qc5 Rb8

Black protects the b-pawn.

18.Bc4 0-0

Castling makes sense now since Black needs to get out of the wide open
center.

19.Rhe1 Qe5

Black is restricting White's majority on the queenside. Although these pawns

could also become Black weaknesses, I am really starting to like Black.

19...Be6 20.Bxe6 fxe6 This keeps a middlegame fight going. The White
kingside pawns are vulnerable.
20.Qxe5 Nxe5 21.Bd5 Bb7

[FEN "1r3rk1/1b2ppb1/p5pp/3Bn3/Pp4PP/
4BP2/NPP5/2KRR3 w - - 0 22"]

22.Ba7

If White does not try to create some sort of imbalance, Black's position is just
better.

22.Bxb7 Rxb7 Black's play stands in contrast to White's limp attempts to

generate play.

22...Bxd5 23.Bxb8

23.Rxd5 b3 24.Nc3 Rb7 I think this approach for White would put up more
resistance.

23...Nxg4?

The first of several moves that look like blunders. The players, both 2400+,
could have been in time trouble, or the notation is incorrect. It doesn't matter.
Black's earlier play is what is important.

23...Nxf3 24.Rxd5 b3 25.cxb3 Rc8+ 26.Kd1 Nxe1 Black is slightly better.

24.fxg4?

24.Rxd5! Nf6 25.Ra5 Rxb8 26.Rxe7 is terrible for Black.

24...Bxa2 25.Re3? (25.Be5) 25...Rxb8 26.Rf3 Rc8 27.b3 Bc3 28.Rd7 Kg7
29.Rfd3 Rc6 0-1

Black can start pushing the kingside pawns. A weird ending, so focus on the
middlegame play, particularly the break ...d5. Even in the endgame, Black
could still play on the queenside.

Mrdja, Milan (2400) Vasilev, Milen (2422)

Sofia (8), 04.12.2006

In this game, Black makes it look easy.

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 g6 6.Be3 Bg7 7.f3 a6 8.Qd2
Nbd7 9.0-0-0 b5 10.g4 Bb7 11.g5 Nh5 12.Kb1

Here is where we left off in the theory. A lot of the themes we have looked at
will appear in this game.

12...Nb6 The knight is headed to a4, so it does not matter if it goes to b6 or c5.

13.Qf2
 [FEN "r2qk2r/1b2ppbp/pn1p2p1/1p4Pn/3NP3/
2N1BP2/PPP2Q1P/1K1R1B1R b kq - 0 13"]

The threat is 14.Ndxb5.

13...Na4 14.Nce2

White gets spooked and moves all targets away from the queenside. The
clumsiness of White's pieces turn the tide in Black's favor.

14...Qc7

Black builds up quietly.

15.Ng3 Nxg3 16.hxg3 Rc8

All of Black's pieces are well-placed with the exception of the h8-rook.

17.Bd3 d5!

White's brittle structure starts to fall apart.

18.exd5

18.g4 Nc5 Just puts more pressure on e4.

18...Bxd5 19.c3?

Now Black has a target.

19.Be4 This is better, but Black still has pressure. 19...Bxe4 20.fxe4 Qc4:

[FEN "2r1k2r/4ppbp/p5p1/1p4P1/n1qNP3/
4B1P1/PPP2Q2/1K1R3R w k - 0 21"]

19...Qa5 20.a3

An unfortunate move to make, but the threat of ...Bxa2 is too strong to do

without it. 20.Rc1 Bxa2+ 21.Kxa2 Nxc3+ 22.Kb3 Qa4#.

20...Nxc3+

The natural move that breaks apart the structure.

21.bxc3 Rxc3 22.Bc1

The alternatives do not inspire.

22.Bd2 This way the queen can come to a3 with check. 22...Ba2+! 23.Ka1 (23.
Kxa2 Qxa3+ 24.Kb1 Rb3+ 25.Nxb3 Qb2#) 23...Bb3! The idea is the same:
bring the queen to a3 with tempo. 24.Bxc3 Qxc3+ 25.Qb2 Qxb2+ 26.Kxb2
Bxd1 27.Rxd1 Bxd4+ Black is up two pawns.; 22.Qb2 This doesn't really
help. 22...Rxa3 23.Bd2 Qa4.

22...b4 23.Be4 bxa3 24.Bxd5 Qxd5 25.Qa2 Qb7+ 0-1

[FEN "4k2r/1q2ppbp/p5p1/6P1/3N4/
p1r2PP1/Q7/1KBR3R w k - 0 26"]

White resigned. Incredibly, castling kingside is going to be the winning move,

because it gets the last black piece, the rook on h8, into the game. A nice
queenside attacking game.

Lessons Learned

The blending of the Dragon and the Najdorf has one distinct
disadvantage: it is slow since it combines the Dragon idea of attacking
with pieces with the Najdorf queenside pawn expansion a6-b5. The
advantages of combining the setups are that the play resembles the
Najdorf, with the addition of a powerful Dragon bishop, and the play
resembles the queenside attacks of the Dragon, with the benefit of the
Najdorf uncastled king. White finds it difficult to attack the black king
with the usual kingside pawn storm.
In terms of pawn play: we saw both the ...e5 (typical of Najdorf) and ...
d5 (typical of Dragon) pawn breaks. The former becomes attractive if
the g7-bishop is traded off.
Let's consider White's plans. A popular try is Bh6, when Black should
trade the bishops. The queen is not positioned well on h6 anyway. Even
after Black loses the Dragon bishop, the knight on c5 and pawn push
to ...b4 are strong.

Practitioners

Konstantine Shanava. The Georgian grandmaster has played this

system a few times. He is an active tournament player.
Ivan Cheparinov is a Bulgarian grandmaster who also served as
Topolav's second. At one tournament, he had a performance rating over
2900.
English grandmaster Simon Williams is a pioneer of the variation and
literally wrote the book on the opening.

Further Reading

The New Sicilian Dragon by Simon Williams

Killer Dragon, Part Two by Simon Williams

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