Chris Ward turns this edition of the Monthly Dragon into a special exploration of the Accelerated and Hyper Accelerated Dragon. He explains how Black can respond to the Maroczy Bind, why move order details matter, and which active ideas can prevent White from establishing comfortable control. Several instructive sidelines and one of Ward’s own quick victories illustrate the tactical possibilities of the opening. The main example is a highly entertaining rapid game between Gukesh and Hikaru Nakamura, in which Nakamura creates remarkable counterplay and eventually wins a dramatic queen and rook ending. | Photo: John Upham