Sicilian Defense, Dragon Variation, Levenfish Variation

The Levenfish Variation is reached after 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 g6 6.f4. Black has prepared a fianchetto on g7, a setup in which the g-pawn advances and the bishop develops behind it, while White advances the f-pawn before developing the c1-bishop.

The sequence is written in algebraic notation: squares such as e4 combine a column letter and row number; N means knight, B bishop, R rook, and Q queen; pawn moves normally show their destination, x marks a capture, and + marks check. Moves are read in pairs, White first and Black second; dots before a move shown alone indicate Black's turn.

The clearest idea is e5. That advance may attack the f6-knight, gain space, meaning control of more squares, and reduce the g7-bishop's influence on the center. Black should not complete the usual setup mechanically: ...Nc6, ...Bg7, and other moves that bring pieces out or increase pressure on e4 and d4 must be judged according to the exact move order.

• White gains a strong center. Pawn exchanges may open the f-file, the vertical line from f1 to f8, and other pawns may advance toward the black king.
• The move f4 weakens squares around White's king and may leave the central pawns too far advanced. If Black attacks them before White's pieces are ready, those pawns can become targets.

The Levenfish differs from the Yugoslav Attack through the immediate decision to play f4. The Yugoslav normally organizes Be3, f3, Qd2, and long castling, the special move that places White's king on c1 and rook on d1, before attacking. In the Levenfish, White tries to drive away or deflect the f6-knight from the start but must calculate Black's central replies accurately.