Chess Opening Theory/1. e4/1...c5/2. Nf3/2...g6/3. d4/3...cxd4/4. Nxd4

White recaptures according to the standard open Sicilian plan.

Black can now transpose into the accelerated dragon with 4...Nc6. This is the main idea behind this move order: to reach the accelerated dragon while avoiding facing the Rossolimo sideline. White may play with 5. Nc3 or 5. c4, the Maróczy bind.

4...Nf6 attacks the e4 pawn so encourages 5. Nc3, though White may play 5. f3 to keep the option of c4. 5. e5? loses the pawn to 5...Qa5+. After 5. Nc3, ...Qa5 does not come with check, so White is then threatening e5 (5...Nc6? 6. Nxc6 bxc6 7. e5). Therefore Black usually answers 5. Nc3 with 5...d6, accepting they will not be playing ...d5 in one tempo and transposing into the regular dragon Sicilian.

4...Bg7 typically transposes to the accelerated dragon by a slightly different move order. 5. c4 Nf6 6. Nc3 O-O 7. Be3 Nc6.