The Pseudo-Dragon for Black + PGN November 8, 2025

GM Mihail Marin’s latest work addresses a paradox familiar to every Dragon player: the opening promises dynamic counterplay and sharp tactics, yet the modern Yugoslav Attack forces Black into narrow, deeply analyzed paths where memorization matters as much as understanding. Marin himself experienced this tension throughout his career—drawn to the Dragon’s combative spirit but yearning for the strategic flexibility he enjoyed in the French Defense, where meaningful choices extend well beyond move six.