New Player - Please help with with the Sicilian Defense, Dragon Variation. - Chess Forums

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Sep 28, 2017

0

#1

So obviously this is the Sicilian Defense, Dragon Variation, but I can't really see how Black's position is preferable.

I've heard that the Sicilian is good for white at the beginning but as the game goes for longer, black gains the upper hand. If someone could clarify this, I think it would help me understand the theory more.

Anyways, black has just castled and white is preparing to castle queen side. I argue that white has the advantage as black has a weak attack (less pawns queen side, less developed pieces) yet black often seeks to reach this position. Why? What am I missing? Is black actually at an advantage?

Also, another thing. I've been told that the Sicilian is very offensive/sharp, and it's essentially a race between sides to push pawns and break up the defences of the opposing side first which isn't really done in other openings. Is this perhaps where black has its advantage? In that blacks king is super well protected?

Thanks.

Strangemover

Sep 29, 2017

0

#2

Generalizing greatly, many Sicilians boil down to white launching an attack and black preparing a counterattack and taking defensive measures in just the right balance. If he does this successfully and repels the attack intact often the endgames favour black because of a better pawn structure. Obviously this is easier said than done. In the position you posted it's just a normal balanced position, neither side particularly has the advantage yet, unsurprising after only 7 moves each. Usually white goes Qd2 and 0-0-0 and launches kingside pawn storm. Black prepares queenside counterattack with things like a6+b5, Qa5, putting a rook on c8. As you say white is coming first, so black cannot simply race to attack on the other side whilst doing nothing to slow down whites attack. There are many resources available for black to hold the balance, but some lines are very sharp and an inaccurate or ill timed move can be catastrophic. For black sacrificing the exchange RxNc3 is a common theme, as is keeping the kingside lines closed even at material cost.

graphenemarkings28

Sep 29, 2017

0

#3

In a sense you're not missing anything. White does have an advantage (a small one) in the position you've given. But that's true of any opening after 7 moves, provided White knows what they're doing. So it still makes perfect sense for Black to try to get to that position if they enjoy playing it, as there's no opening that is likely to give them an advantage at that stage. Strangemover gives a good overview of the ideas Black can try in the next few moves to get an equal or better position and against an amateur player these will often be very successful.

Actually, it might interest you to know the Dragon isn't played much by the top players any more. It seems when both players know 25 - 30 moves of theory in several lines White does pretty well compared to other Sicilians. However, if you don't have that level of knowledge (I know I don't!) it's a a very dangerous opening to play against and should be respected.