The 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 g6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 is probably not the most common way to reach the Dragon, but it is nevertheless used by different players to avoid the 3.Bb5+ variation. I think that you have 3 interesting options to avoid being move-orderer into the Dragon after 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 g6

Option 1: You play 3.c4, hoping to reach a Maroczy bind after 3...Bg7 4.d4 cxd4. But as mentioned, Black has different 4th moves to avoid it (Qa5, d6, ...).

Option 2: As suggested by TN, 3.d4 cxd4 4.Qxd4 is very interesting. In addition, you just need to know 3.d4 Bg7 4.dxc5 that you already play.

Option 3: You could try 3.h4!?, which is not as silly as it looks. There is an interesting 10 pages articles about this move (a White repertoire) in SOS 6 by Donaldson and Silman, two Accelerated Dragon specialists.

In my opinion, the 3 options give equivalent theoretical chances of getting a small advantage for White. They lead to different play however, and you should play the one which suits your taste best.

For OTB chess, you should also consider your other choices against the Sicilian. You mentioned playing  1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.Bb5+. If you play 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5, your only chance to reach the Accelerated Dragon is through the 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 g6 3.c4 move order. I would thus reject this option (3.c4), because it requires a lot of theoretical work: the Accelerated Dragon and black's 4th move deviations. I would definitively try option 2 or 3, each requiring relatively limited theoretical work. On the other hand, if you play 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 (or the unconventional 3.c4 g6 4.d4), I would consider option 1, because you just need to work on black's 4th move deviations.

Randomeister wrote on 08/01/10 at 07:12:45:

Ahh... this is what I get for asking questions without actually looking at the position on a board. I miss the obvious queen fork. This is why I don't play blindfold (yet!). I can learn concepts and move of opening lines from reading explanations without looking, but without an actual board in front of me, I'll miss anything that isn't explicitly pointed out.

So silly question from an Open Sicilian newbie, but isn't the whole point of d6 in the normal, "un-accelerated" Dragon that black wants to be able to play Nf6 without worrying about white pushing e5?

Yes, I see! Opening for White according to Kramnik vol 3 has those variations, with the move order BPaulsen mentions. Is there anything in IM Greets Starting out...? Or is that book just for Black?

I'll second 3. c4. I reach the same position via 1. Nf3 c5 2. c4 g6 3. e4, and it leads to standard Maroczy Binds or related sidelines without any tricky transpositions at black's disposal.

to me 3.c4 seams the most logical solution.

What do you play against 3..Bg7 in the HA?
If 4.c4 then you are probably already ready for 4..Qb6 which may transpose.