Theoria
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Sicilian Defense

Dragon Variation, Classical Variation, Normal Line

B74positionalsolid

  1. 1.e4c5
  2. 2.Nf3d6
  3. 3.d4cxd4
  4. 4.Nxd4Nf6
  5. 5.Nc3g6
  6. 6.Be2Bg7
  7. 7.O-OO-O
  8. 8.Be3Nc6
  9. 9.Nb3
677 games46%48%

The Normal Line of the Classical Dragon, in which White retreats 9. Nb3 to sidestep exchanges on d4, leading to a balanced, maneuvering middlegame.

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About the Normal Line

The Normal Line arises when White meets 8...Nc6 with 9. Nb3, pulling the knight back from d4 so that Black cannot ease the position with ...Nxd4. The most frequent reply is 9...Be6, after which 10. f4 leads to the Maróczy and Tartakower Lines. Black's main alternatives are 9...a6, 9...Bd7 and 9...a5, the Alekhine Line. The engine assesses the position as balanced, and results in online play are close to even.

Popular continuations