user12553: I've been meaning to develop my understanding of the Hyper-Accelerated Dragon (1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 g6) as Black, mainly by playing a few correspondence games and working through deep positional analyses. Most of what I read about this opening centers on the Maróczy Bind as White's typical response, as it's the most efficient restriction on Black's dynamic play. I haven't yet read any solid ideas for Black to play for an advantage against the Maróczy. Most sources that I've been able to find could basically be summed up as "Stay sharp and wait for White to lose concentration." However, this isn't realistic when it comes to correspondence games (particularly against centaurs). It seems that facing an ideal offense from White, Black's position gets irredeemably worse:
[FEN ""]
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 g6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nc6 5.c4 Nf6 6.Nc3 d6 7.Be2 Nxd4 8.Qxd4 Bg7 9.Be3 O-O 10.Qd2 Be6 11.O-O Qa5

In fact, there are several OTB games between high-rated players that feature this line, such as two games between Ivanchuk and Anand in 1994. Actually, after 12.b3, it seems that White has never lost an ICCF game from this position, nor does the database at 365Chess have any winning games for Black. Is the Hyper-Accelerated Dragon just not a viable opening for Black in a correspondence game? Can anybody point out where Black might improve their play along this line? Thanks in advance for your time.

user12402: The correspondence chess database includes many wins for Black.  Black typically wins by queenside attack or because his pawn structure is superior to Whites for the endgame because it is a bit over extended.  The best way to prepare is to look at games from the best players you can find.  There are plenty of opportunities for Black to win if he understands the position. 

user-1: In Beating the Sicilian 3 by Nunn and Gallagher, they claim (emphasis is mine):

Although the Maroczy Bind is slightly passive for Black, players such as Larsen, Petursson and Velimirović have shown that by patiently waiting for a lapse of concentration from White this line can offer winning chances for Black. The theoretical opinion is that White should maintain a slight advantage, but no one should believe that this is a line in which White cannot lose.

As you know, in a correspondence game lapses of concentration are rarer than in over-the-board.
My generic advice would be to be alert to weaknesses induced by white's last move, and take advantage of that. If you want more specific advice, please post a new question requesting feedback on your middle/endgame play.

12553: <p>I've been meaning to develop my understanding of the Hyper-Accelerated Dragon (1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 g6) as Black, mainly by playing a few correspondence games and working through deep positional analyses. Most of what I read about this opening centers on the Maróczy Bind as White's typical response, as it's the most efficient restriction on Black's dynamic play. I haven't yet read any solid ideas for Black to play for an advantage against the Maróczy. Most sources that I've been able to find could basically be summed up as "Stay sharp and wait for White to lose concentration." However, this isn't realistic when it comes to correspondence games (particularly against centaurs). It seems that facing an ideal offense from White, Black's position gets irredeemably worse:</p>

<pre><code>[FEN ""]
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 g6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nc6 5.c4 Nf6 6.Nc3 d6 7.Be2 Nxd4 8.Qxd4 Bg7 9.Be3 O-O 10.Qd2 Be6 11.O-O Qa5
</code></pre>

<p>In fact, there are several OTB games between high-rated players that feature this line, such as <a href="http://www.365chess.com/game.php?gid=1670589" rel="noreferrer">two</a> <a href="http://www.365chess.com/game.php?gid=1654918" rel="noreferrer">games</a> between Ivanchuk and Anand in 1994. Actually, after 12.b3, it seems that White has never lost an ICCF game from this position, nor does the database at 365Chess have any winning games for Black. Is the Hyper-Accelerated Dragon just not a viable opening for Black in a correspondence game? Can anybody point out where Black might improve their play along this line? Thanks in advance for your time.</p>
 12402: <p>The correspondence chess database includes many wins for Black.  Black typically wins by queenside attack or because his pawn structure is superior to Whites for the endgame because it is a bit over extended.  The best way to prepare is to look at games from the best players you can find.  There are plenty of opportunities for Black to win if he understands the position. </p>
 -1: <p>In <em>Beating the Sicilian 3</em> by Nunn and Gallagher, they claim (emphasis is mine):</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>Although the Maroczy Bind is slightly passive for Black, players such as Larsen, Petursson and Velimirović have shown that <strong>by patiently waiting for a lapse of concentration from White</strong> this line can offer winning chances for Black. The theoretical opinion is that White should maintain a slight advantage, but no one should believe that this is a line in which White cannot lose.</p>
</blockquote>

<p>As you know, in a correspondence game lapses of concentration are rarer than in over-the-board.</p>

<p>My generic advice would be to be alert to weaknesses induced by white's last move, and take advantage of that. If you want more specific advice, please post a new question requesting feedback on your middle/endgame play.</p>
