The Accelerated Dragon generally features a more positional style of play than in many other lines of the Sicilian.

It is important for White to play accurately due to the sharp and tactical nature of the Accelerated Dragon.

An alternative eighth move for Black is 8...a5, which leads to play that can be quite different from other Dragon lines.

One possible plan for White is to expand on the queenside by moving the a1 rook off the long diagonal and playing for the pawn push b2-b4, perhaps prepared by a2-a3.

Black may play ...a5 in order to make White's b4 plan difficult and to gain space on the queenside.

Black aims to immediately exchange knights to avoid the cramped positions arising from the classical Maróczy Bind.

Black may continue in typical Accelerated Dragon fashion by fianchettoing their bishop and castling.

A more modern alternative plan is to play ...a5, ...a4, and ...Qa5, where Black undermines the queenside pawns in a different manner.

Black hopes to utilize the a1-h8 diagonal through the moves ...Nd7 and ...a3, exploiting the shaky positions of White's rook on a1 and knight on c3.

Another common line seen in tournaments continues: 5.Nxc6 bxc6 6.Qd4 Nf6 7.e5 Ng8 (7...Nd5 works as well) 8.e6 Nf6 9.exf7+ Kxf7 (diagram), when both sides have equal chances.