Yugoslav Attack 9.O-O-O d5

Yugoslav Attack 9.O-O-O d5 is variation 2 of 4 in the Sicilian Dragon course, a advanced opening course for Black (ECO B76). It runs 26 moves and begins 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 …. If White castles long before playing Bc4, Black strikes in the centre with 9...d5!, opening the long diagonal. After the exchanges on d5 and c6, Black gets active pieces and good play against White's king. In the lesson every move is explained on a board and then drilled; it is free.

Move by move

• 1. e4 – Takes the centre.
• 1... c5 – The Sicilian.
• 2. Nf3 – Develops.
• 2... d6 – Controls e5.
• 3. d4 – Opens the centre.
• 3... cxd4 – Takes a centre pawn.
• 4. Nxd4 – Recaptures.
• 4... Nf6 – Hits e4.
• 5. Nc3 – Defends e4.
• 5... g6 – The Dragon fianchetto.
• 6. Be3 – The Yugoslav Attack setup.
• 6... Bg7 – Completes the fianchetto.
• 7. f3 – Stops ...Ng4.
• 7... O-O – Castles.
• 8. Qd2 – Prepares O-O-O and Bh6.
• 8... Nc6 – Develops and pressures d4.

The lesson goes on for 10 more moves, each with its explanation.

More in Sicilian Dragon

• Previous variation: Yugoslav Attack 9.Bc4
• Next variation: Classical 6.Be2
• Whole course: Sicilian Dragon (4 variations)