The variation that currently bothers me the most in the 12...a6 is on one of bragesjo's sites.  I may ask him if I can post analysis from the site as it's free and would benefit the discussion here (or maybe he'll see this and post it himself).   

But here's a link to the site:
https://openingtheory.wordpress.com/about/

Look for the Anand-Carlsen game that was a draw in this variation and you'll find a note to 15.Bxc4 regarding 15.Qc1!?   This queen move looks highly annoying.  Having said that White may have better tries.  I haven't looked into this variation much.

Quote:
AJZ1985

I'll post the line that I can't find equality in the 12...a6 variation later tonight (I'm in Indiana and it's 10:12am).  It's given as a strong option for White in an online resource by one of the members here on chesspub.  I'm going to have to look it up to remember who.

ArKheiN wrote on 08/03/15 at 05:04:11:


I'm really interested to know what's the problematic line in the Chinese Dragon you mentioned. Now I'm hoping that Carsten Hansen will cover the Chinese in his upcoming book, as he's a very good writer. 

12...a6 is designed to be slow - to wait for White g4 push and then taking a pawn on the kingside and defending & counterattacking with the e5 knight as an important defender, because it wasn't traded on c4. In some lines where Black rook goes to h8, Black has an extra a6 move compared to 12...Re8 variation (CHOPIN has only one line analysed and comparing with the books I checked, it's not the most critical one). As I've never liked Re8 here or in the Soltis, I would rather analyse 12...a6 first (and it's the Carlsen Variation after all!). I don't know if I decide to do so but if I do I let you know if I succeded in finding equality or not.

As for Dragon "memoralization problem", I would say that Dragon lines are easier to remember than in many other variations (e. g. Najdorf) imo. There are many typical ideas and strikes to follow and play is very logical. White's tasks is not that easy too - in 9. Bc4 one must be prepared to play against Soltis, Topalov or Chinese, 10...Qa5 and others. It's not decided who makes the first error. If you're better prepared, you can beat the opponent rated well above you based on your home prep. When you're not, you can loose to one rated below. I think with playing the Dragon you take chances, risks a little but in the long run it should pay off, as you learn a lot above active & seeking initiative chess in general.

gewgaw wrote on 08/02/15 at 22:04:28:


Glenn, I think you nailed it - I can't find any improvement for Black after 15. g5!   
Gewgaw, I don't see enough compensation after 16...Rc8 17. Ndxb5. 
And after 16...b4 White has 17. Nd5 declining the Burnett exchange sacrifice, which is probably the main point of playing g5 before b3.

So for me, 12... Nc4 is not the way to fight against 12. Kb1 variation. I think we're left with Carlsen variation (12...a6) and 12...Re8. I don't know what's the problem with them as for now, because I switched to the Chinese Dragon a while ago. 

AJWZ wrote on 07/30/15 at 09:01:29:


Here's some analysis on some of the troubles I think Black has after 15.g5.

This is the exchange sac of 12...Sc4. 15. g5 would be the alternative to 15. b3.

Hi all,
Just a quick request. I am somewhat familiar as have played the dragon OTB and have the DVDs. 
But without checking I am lost here re the moves there, perhaps others may be too. Glenn, Tony - could you perhaps provide the moves leading to 15.g5 so we can follow pls?
Thanks guys, much obliged if you can.
B

There is a game in the DVD of Nielsen Greet-Jones, 2009 Torquay where Jones played 12...Sc4, with the 15. b3 b4 exchange sac variation. Whether he goes to recommend this in his upcoming book that I do not know. I looked at this sacrifice a bit and it looks interesting. Nielsen also recommends it in the DVD.