Accelerated Dragon: Maroczy Bind 5.c4 is variation 6 of 6 in the The Open Sicilian for White course, a advanced opening course for White (ECO B38). It runs 28 moves and begins 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 g6 …. Against the Accelerated Dragon White grabs space with c4 and e4. Black has no freeing pawn break, and White keeps a long, safe edge. In the lesson every move is explained on a board and then drilled; it is free.
Move by move
1. e4 – White takes the centre and frees the queen and the f1 bishop.
1... c5 – The Sicilian. Black fights for d4 from the side and keeps the game unbalanced.
2. Nf3 – The knight develops and prepares d4. This is the road to the Open Sicilian.
2... Nc6 – Black develops the knight and fights for d4.
3. d4 – The Open Sicilian. White opens the centre at once to use the lead in development.
3... cxd4 – Black takes. Black gives a wing pawn for a centre pawn and gets the half-open c-file.
4. Nxd4 – White takes back and gets a strong knight in the centre.
4... g6 – The Accelerated Dragon. Black puts the bishop on g7 before moving the d-pawn.
5. c4 – The Maroczy Bind. The pawns on c4 and e4 take control of d5.
5... Bg7 – Black puts the bishop on the long diagonal and hits d4.
6. Be3 – The bishop protects d4.
6... Nf6 – Black develops.
7. Nc3 – The knight develops and controls d5.
7... O-O – Black castles.
8. Be2 – Simple development. White plans to castle short.
8... d6 – Black supports the centre.
The lesson goes on for 12 more moves, each with its explanation.
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