Dragon Variation, Classical Variation, Grigoriev Variation
- 1.e4c5
- 2.Nf3Nc6
- 3.d4cxd4
- 4.Nxd4Nf6
- 5.Nc3d6
- 6.Be2g6
- 7.Be3Bg7
- 8.Qd2O-O
- 9.O-O-O
862 games
A Classical Dragon line in which White castles queenside after Be2, Be3 and Qd2, producing opposite-side castling in a Sicilian Dragon structure.
Train it in TheoriaAbout the Grigoriev Variation
The Grigoriev Variation arises through the Classical Sicilian move order. Instead of castling kingside, White plays 9. O-O-O after Be3 and Qd2, so the modest Be2 setup becomes an opposite-side castling game against Black's kingside fianchetto. The most common replies are 9...Nxd4, simplifying in the center, 9...Bd7 and 9...a6. The engine rates the position roughly balanced, and White scores well in online games.