Download PGN of November '08 Dragon Sicilian games

Dominguez - Kasimdzhanov: Yep it's the forums favourite sort of Soltis type variation (we're really going to have to come up with a good name for it!) only back to 12...Re8 instead of Magnus Carlsen's 12...a6. Aside from being a top level clash though this is a theoretically important game, seeing for all intents and purposes a debut for the sharp 14 g4!?:

Gara - Pogonina: And I bring you the Natalia Pogonina show! They may only be rapid play encounters but you cant scoff at 100% in 3 Dragon encounters. Incorporated into one annotation, all in this trendy early ...Nxd4 variation, it's out with the passive 19...Re8 and in with the active 19...Rc5!?:

Brinck Claussen-Zakharov: We're still talking the 9 Bc4 Yugoslav Attack and although the World has seen plenty of 10 h4 (primarily aimed at avoiding the Chinese Dragon) it has seemingly never seen 10...Na5 11 Bb3 b5:

Well it has now but although this Black idea goes down a treat here, I now have my doubts that it will stand the test of time.

Vocaturo - CarlssonP: A similar sounding name but I'm afraid it's not Magnus! Mr Carlsson though is a strong player in his own right and here he shows why this trendy 9 0-0-0 d5 variation (evidently supported by Svidler too!) is still very much in business.

Short - Agdestein: We have seen a bit of this 'Castles Queenside' Classical variation (basically then a Yugoslav Attack but with Be2 instead of f3) in recent times:

and I think that this is the best that we have seen Black handle what I have previously described as a dangerous weapon.

Nepomniachtchi - Zvaginsev: They both have high ratings and they both have high-scoring scrabble names! Put together and we see a new (for this site) White idea in the Maroczy Bind. I do believe that Accelerated Dragon players need to dedicate some attention to this 14 Bf3!? idea:

as casual moves just don't cut it.

Back real soon. Best wishes, Chris

To get in touch with me, either leave a message for me on the Dragons Forum, or email me at Chris Ward@ChessPublishing.com (for subscribers only!)