To download the December '09 Dragon Sicilian games directly in PGN form click here:

Moving on and we certainly have some high level clashes for you this month.

Okay, first Gawain kicks us off with the Dragadorf encounter Kokarev-Sjugirov. If anybody knows why even strong White players keep dabbling in this variation despite abysmal results then do let us know!

Motylev-Feller is a typically complicated Soltis variation encounter:

but vital for those playing the line to take a look at.

Then we have two games featuring the same Grandmasters. The first Dominguez-Smerdon tussle is in our popular ...Re8 Soltis type position but then we move into the realms of the 9 0-0-0 Yugoslav Attack with the second Dominguez-Smerdon demonstrating how Black still seems to be okay in the 12...Nxc3 variation:

As it happens Short-Carlsen was still in relative sideline territory. We are talking 9 0-0-0 d5 10 Kb1 and a wonderful if far from error free game which could see a change of assessment of one possibly critical middlegame in Black's favour:

I hope you like my annotation of this game. I was commentating on it live at the London Chess Classic event and we were delighted to have Nigel come and deliver a post mortem to the big audience.

Finally, Ivanchuk-Gashimov rounds off the year and a very sweet game it is too.

Long live the Dragon! Err, I mean please continue to tune in to our continued unbiased views on the most exciting chess opening!

Till next year (when I have some post to be answering-thanks for that!)

Chris and Gawain

To get in touch with me, either leave a message for me on the Dragons Forum, or email me at Chris Ward@ChessPublishing.com (for subscribers only!)