Key ideas
- The Maróczy Bind, 5.c4, is White's most respected answer. Pawns on c4 and e4 clamp down on d5, and Black has to fight for space slowly. After 5...Bg7 6.Be3 Nf6 7.Nc3, the reply 7...Ng4 8.Qxg4 Nxd4 is a known way to exchange pieces and ease the cramp.
- With 5.Nc3 Bg7 6.Be3 Nf6 7.Bc4, White heads for Yugoslav-style positions. The point of Black's move order shows here: because ...d6 has not been played, ...d5 can come in one move, which makes the f3 and Qd2 set-up less effective than in the ordinary Dragon.
- 5.Nxc6 bxc6 gives Black a strong pawn centre after ...d5 and the half-open b-file, so it is rarely dangerous.
- Typical plans against the Maróczy are ...Nxd4 to reduce White's space advantage, ...Be6 and ...a5, or ...Nd7-c5, before preparing ...b5 or ...f5. These positions are slow and strategic rather than sharp.
Plans for White
If you like space, choose the Maróczy Bind: keep the c4-e4 clamp, avoid exchanges that free Black, and expand later with b4 or f4. In the 5.Nc3 lines, develop with Be3 and Bc4-b3 and keep an eye on f7.
Plans for Black
Against the Maróczy, exchange a pair of knights, put a piece on c5 or e6, and wait for the right moment for ...b5 or ...f5. Against 5.Nc3, castle and look for ...d5 in one go.
Watch out
After 5.Nc3 Bg7 6.Be3 Nf6 7.Bc4 O-O 8.Bb3 Na5 9.e5 Ne8? Black falls into a known trap: 10.Bxf7+ Kxf7 11.Ne6, and the queen is trapped because the e7 pawn, the knights and White's pieces cover every square. 11...dxe6 12.Qxd8 follows.
For the wider picture, see the Sicilian Defense guide.