Chessy
Sicilian Dragon: play Black after 5...g6
The Sicilian Dragon is all about getting your bishop to g7 and meeting White’s central space with active piece play. In the position after 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 g6, it is White to move, and you are the one defending the Black setup. Stockfish rates this +0.60, a small edge for White. That means you are already under a bit of pressure, so the drill below is there to help you handle White’s main tries cleanly and keep your pieces active.
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Create a free account →What White usually chooses here
This exact position is a major crossroads in the Sicilian Dragon. The database shows White has several serious choices, and you need to be ready for more than one plan. The most-played continuation is Be3, while Bg5, Bc4, Bd3, Bb5+, and f3 all appear often enough that they cannot be ignored. Your job as Black is not to panic about every move, but to stay organised and make sure your development keeps flowing. In the drill, focus on recognising White’s setup quickly and answering with sound development rather than drifting into passivity.
The engine’s main test
The engine’s best move here is Be3, continuing Be3 a6 Qd2 Ng4. That tells you the most natural White setup is also the one you are most likely to face in the drill. You do not need to memorise a huge branch tree; instead, learn the feel of the position and the ideas behind it. Keep your kingside structure intact, develop with purpose, and be ready for White to aim at your king while you look for active counterplay.
What the database says
Across 2,147,779 games from this exact position, White wins 46.4%, draws 4.1%, and Black wins 49.5%. That is a useful reminder that this opening is not about simply surviving; Black scores well enough to make the Dragon a serious practical weapon. At the same time, the engine evaluation still gives White a small edge, so accuracy matters. The opening is playable for Black, but you should expect White to have real pressure and know your main replies.
Common mistakes to avoid
Two White moves are flagged as inaccuracies in this position: Bd3 and Bb5+. The listed note says both lose around half to most of a pawn compared with Be3, so if White plays either one, you have already guided the game away from the best-tested path. That does not mean you can relax, but it does mean you should recognise these moves as less exact. Against the more critical options, stay alert and keep to principles: finish development, watch king safety, and do not waste tempi.
Results across 2,147,779 Lichess games
| Most-played continuation | Games | White wins |
|---|---|---|
| Be3 | 564,979 | 49.9% |
| Bg5 | 438,466 | 44.2% |
| Bc4 | 327,578 | 45.6% |
| Bd3 | 168,795 | 41.9% |
| Bb5+ | 165,837 | 42.4% |
| f3 | 127,317 | 52.3% |
Frequently asked questions
What opening is this lesson about?
This page covers the Sicilian Dragon, ECO code B70. The lesson starts from 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 g6, and you play Black from there.
Who is better in this position?
Stockfish rates the position +0.60, which is a small edge for White. That means you are a bit worse here, so you need to play accurately and know your plans.
What is White’s most important move here?
The engine’s best move is Be3, and it is also the most-played continuation. The line given in the facts continues Be3 a6 Qd2 Ng4, which is the main test you should expect in the drill.
Which White moves are considered mistakes?
The facts list Bd3 and Bb5+ as inaccuracies in this position. Both lose around half to most of a pawn compared with Be3, so they are less exact than the main line.
How many games feature the Sicilian Dragon?
Over 2 million Lichess games have reached the Sicilian Dragon position. White wins 46.4%, Black wins 49.5%, with 4.1% draws — based on real rated games.