Sicilian Dragon Results vs Yugoslav

Hi, so has anyone ever played the dragon (as black) and keep getting shredded even though all the chess books and videos say that the Dragon is so strong!

I don't play the Yugoslav Attack myself, but I know plenty of kids who do. It is definitely a great opening at your level, especially if you like to attack.

To get better, you need to improve three areas: 

1. Every tempo counts.

2. Black often sacrifices an exchange, e.g. Rxc3.

3. Avoid making weaknesses around your own King.

Go to Google and search for "chess games Sicilian Yugoslav." You'll find some master games (look at 5 or 10 of them) and YouTube videos. Try to repeat what the masters play.

Finally, I warn you. The Dragon is like playing with matches. If you're not careful, you will burn yourself. Every single move counts. Don't get lazy. Calculate the best move you can, every move. 

Have fun!

I used to play the Dragon a long time ago (not the accelerated Dragon though). It is a VERY sharp opening, requiring a very precise play. You will get roasted if you aren't precise enough, that goes for both white and black. Study professional games, look at the ideas black tries, specifically look at how black defends from the attack on the king side - you won't get far by just blindly counterattacking and sacking your king side, you have to combine attack and defense.

Thanks everyone

Put in the work and once you have tamed the Dragon it's an excellent fighter that lets you ride its back and breathes fire over the board.

The kingside attacks in the Yugoslav Attack won't ever mate you if you know your stuff, but 9 0-0-0 is somewhat of a fun killer. It leads practically by force to a somewhat unpleasant but holdable endgame.

Just some theory I squished together from ChessPub updates in the Dragon. There isn't a whole lot here, but there are some key points which any strong player who plays the Dragon should probably know.