What against the Dragon?

Yougslav attack is the best reaction to a sicilian dragon.

It is quite ironic, that when i played 1.e4, i specialized in this variation BEFORE it was popular.

Study the Alapin (2. c3). It's the best anti SD strategy and easy to learn too.

that is in reference to the Yugaslavcorrect?

It may cause problems, but it isn't a refute.

Actually, it may not cause problems at all.

True, but Black's attack is atually equal in force. It just starts a little slower than White's attack. If Black had the first move, it would be over for White. Lets look at a common line between amateurs I get alot.

Indeed, if white is dumb enough to play 12.g5? when misplacing the knight at h7 isn't forced, then black "may have no problems at all".

The other three logical replies are much better: either the simple 12.Nd5 with a typical mild positional bind, or 12.0-0-0, or finally 12.gh5 Nxh5 13.Bxg7 Kxg7, when black is certainly not that fine, since he can't prevent a timely f4-f5.

Open Dragon lines with g2-g3 are objectively equal, but far from harmless and rather easy to handle, without knowing much theory.

9.g4 in the Yugoslav is quite trendy now and also 10.Qe1(after 9.0-0-0) seems to give some success for white.

10.Qe1 is an extremely safe way to play for a white advantage, but it seems to me that Black should hold in the mainline without big trouble:

The man playing white is an IM (Greek champion for second consecutive year) and black an old student of mine, and a GM.

That said, Black's winning chances are less than minimal- factly, no bigger than in the Ruy Marshall mainlines. The difference is that here Black pays a certain risk fee, while in the Marshall this fee is practically zero.

I have never played an anti sicilian against him so I do not know what he would play. With the dragon I have some games but not many, just the knowledge that he always plays the dragon. I think I am going to look into the closed sicilian and also the yugoslav. if i dont feel ready with a week until the match then I will focus on the closed sicilian and play that. If my studies of the yugaslav go well in the weeks leading into the match than I will play that. In any case I will have two new opening in my pocket for future games, thanks again for all the help guys. I am bound to post a few more questions in the next month or so as I prepare 

Houdini seems to like it

Hardly surprising. Houdini needs aid suggesting good moves- on autopilot he's suggesting rubbish as good a lot of the time.

I am playing centaur chess, and most of my CC wins are busts of the Houdini/ name your engine here "best" lines.

Houdini is a very valuable tool, but it does have a problem: He does not understand chess- he just calculates tactical variations, which are not always conclusive.

Play the Excalibur opening. King Arthur used it to slay numerous dragons to bring peace and prosperity to Avalon.

Would it be possible for you to show me what you mean in reference to my games? I do not want to take up too much of your time

I will look into that variation next week, thaks!