Theoria
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Sicilian Defense

Dragon Variation, Yugoslav Attack, Topalov Variation

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  1. 1.e4c5
  2. 2.Nf3d6
  3. 3.d4cxd4
  4. 4.Nxd4Nf6
  5. 5.Nc3g6
  6. 6.Be3Bg7
  7. 7.f3O-O
  8. 8.Qd2Nc6
  9. 9.Bc4Bd7
  10. 10.O-O-ORc8
  11. 11.Bb3Nxd4
  12. 12.Bxd4
602 games42%52%

A Yugoslav Attack line of the Sicilian Dragon in which Black trades knights on d4 and then storms White's queenside, usually with 12...b5.

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About the Topalov Variation

The Topalov Variation arises when Black meets 11. Bb3 with 11...Nxd4 12. Bxd4. The exchange removes White's centralized knight before Black sends the queenside pawns forward against the long-castled king. The usual follow-up is 12...b5, which targets the bishop on b3. The rarer 12...a5 pursues the same aim more slowly, while 12...a6 has scored badly. The engine gives White a slight edge, yet Black has the better results in online games.

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