The Dragon Volume One by Gawain Jones

The Dragon Volume One by Gawain Jones is a paperback chess book for players building a Black repertoire against 1.e4, with a sharp focus on the Sicilian Dragon. As the first volume in a two-part repertoire, it offers a structured way to study one of the most dynamic defences in modern chess.

What this book covers

Rather than giving a superficial survey of lines, this book presents a practical repertoire shaped by tournament experience and modern analysis. It is aimed at readers who want to understand the ideas behind the moves, not just memorise them.

The main focus is the Yugoslav Attack with 9.Bc4 and 9.g4, where the positions are often at their sharpest and most theoretical. That makes this volume especially useful for players who want to meet aggressive White setups with an active and well-prepared Black response.

Why it stands out

Written by grandmaster Gawain Jones, the book reflects years of practical experience with the Dragon at a high level. It is designed to help you build a repertoire while also understanding the typical plans, piece placements and reactions that arise in these positions.

If you are developing your opening study, preparing a Black repertoire or looking for focused tournament training, this volume offers a clear route into the Sicilian Dragon.

Author and edition

Gawain Jones is the author of this English-language paperback edition. The book runs to 320 pages and was published on 9 September 2015.

Key details

• Product type: paperback chess book
• Language: English
• Opening focus: Sicilian Dragon
• Variation focus: Yugoslav Attack with 9.Bc4 and 9.g4
• Series: first volume of a two-part repertoire
• Page count: 320
• Publication date: 9 September 2015
• ISBN: 978-1-78483-007-6