Najdorf Sicilian

The Najdorf Sicilian is a chess variation of the Sicilian Defence. It has a good reputation, is very popular and is very complex.

This chess opening got its name from chess grandmaster Miguel Najdorf (1919-1997), who played it first time in 1939.

5…a6
White moves

In the beginning (in the 50th) the Najdorf Sicilian was played only by Pilnik, Petrosjan und Najdorf, but was played later on by famous players like Michail Tal and Bobby Fischer and in the 80th by Garri Kasparow, who used it as a main weapon for Black.

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The Najdorf Variation can be a two-edged sword depending which variation you choose. Black attacks usually on the queenside and White on the kingside. There are positions in which Black castles long and White short.

Get the Idea

The first Najdorf move is 5…a6 and appears to be not very strong, as it doesn’t develop a piece, but it is more flexible than 5…Sc6 and controls the square b5. This keeps away the white knights and the bishop. In addition Black can play moves like e5 and b5 later on or Black can play e6 and reach the Schevening Variation.

Black’s usually puts pressure on the white pawn on e4 with Bb7 and starts a minority pawn attack on the queenside with b5.

6. Bg5

White can choose the sharp 6.Bg5 followed by f4.
A very popular response for Black is 7…Qb6!? which leads to the very complex Poisoned Pawn Variation 8.Qd2 Qxb2 9.Rb1 (9.Nb3) Qa3. As the white bishop on g5 is locked out in respect to the queenside the pawn b2 has become weak. White sacrifices this pawn for better development, but Black can catch up fast as his pieces can be developed quickly. This position is not easy for White to handle at all.

If Black does not like the poisoned pawn variation he can play 7…Qc7, 7…Nbd7, 7…Nc6!? or 7…b5 (Polugaevsky).

Najdorf – 6. Bg5 Variation

Najdorf – 6. Bg5 Variation Blitz game

6. Be2

If White likes to play it quietly he can play 6.Be2 (instead of 6.Bg5) the game will be more positional then and Black can branch out with 6…e6 to the Scheveningen Variation or stay in the Najdorf playing 6…e5.

6. Be3

Black should study the English Attack 6.Be3 (instead of Be2) followed by f3, g4, Qd2 and 0-0-0.
This variation is popular and well analysed and the black answer 6…Ng4!? by Garry Kasparov seems to be a good anwer.
To avoid 6…Ng4!? White can play 6.f3 (instead of 6.Be3) which is a transpositon to the English Attack.

6. Bc4 – Fischer-Sozin Attack

Highly respected is 6.Bc4 controlling the diagonal a2-g8 and the d5 square. If Black plays now 6… e5 then d5 becomes weak so Black usually plays 6… e6 to block the bishop on c4. The move 6.Bc4 is well respected and originates from Bobby Fischer who played it against all sorts of Sicilians. This move leads to a very tactical game.

6. Bc4 – Fischer-Sozin Attack – Watch this incredible game!

However, the Najdorf Sicilian is a double-edged sword and you should study this chess opening first before you play it in serious games to get the feel for it.

Najdorf Variation – Replay Chess Games

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