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Guided lesson · Intermediate · Openings

Dragon: two ways to develop White’s pieces

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Black’s g7-bishop marks the Dragon. As White, choose Be3, f3 and Qd2, keeping queenside castling available, or Be2 and h3 with other options retained. f3 supports e4 and prevents ...Ng4; h3 also controls g4 without moving the f-pawn. Neither setup justifies pawn attacks before checking king safety. Practice focuses on that preparation.

The key idea

With the bishop on e3, watch for ...Ng4: f3 or h3 prevents it in different setups.

Example 1 · f3 and preparing queenside castling

f3 supports e4 and prevents ...Ng4 against Be3.

  1. f3 f3 supports e4 and prevents ...Ng4 against Be3.
  2. Nc6 ...Nc6 develops with pressure on your d4-knight.
  3. Qd2 Qd2 connects queen and bishop and prepares queenside castling.
  4. O-O Black castles; secure your own king before attacking.

Example 2 · h3 before Be3

h3 controls g4 before placing the bishop on e3.

  1. h3 h3 controls g4 before placing the bishop on e3.
  2. Nc6 ...Nc6 increases central pressure on d4.
  3. Be3 Be3 supports d4 without allowing an immediate ...Ng4.
  4. O-O Black castles; you still retain kingside castling.

Practice

You play White. Practice two decisions from this line: f3 and preparing queenside castling.

  1. f3 supports e4 and prevents ...Ng4 against Be3. Which pawn can defend e4 and control g4 at once? Other sound continuations: Qd2, Be2, Bb5+. In this sequence practise f3; the others change the continuation.
  2. You keep the attack on a sound footing. Before advancing further, check your king’s safety. There are several sound continuations: Qd2, Bc4, h4, g4. Choose one and check what remains to be developed.

Controlling g4 only prepares development. Choose your castling side and attacking plan afterwards, taking Black’s play into account.