B92
Sicilian Defense: Najdorf Variation, Opocensky Variation
Key moves: 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6
The Najdorf Variation is perhaps the most theoretically important chess opening. The move 6...a6 is a multi-purpose prophylactic move that controls b5, prepares ...e5, and keeps maximum flexibility. It leads to extraordinarily complex positions.
History & Notable Players
Named after Miguel Najdorf, it became the ultimate weapon through Bobby Fischer and Garry Kasparov, arguably the two greatest players in chess history, both of whom made it their main opening.
Top Players in this Opening
Related Openings
B90 - Sicilian Defense: Najdorf Variation3225B91 - Sicilian Defense: Najdorf Variation, Zagreb Variation280B93 - Sicilian Defense: Najdorf Variation, Amsterdam Variation252B94 - Sicilian Defense: Najdorf Variation273B95 - Sicilian Defense: Najdorf Variation119B96 - Sicilian Defense: Najdorf Variation330B97 - Sicilian Defense: Najdorf Variation, Poisoned Pawn Accepted255B98 - Sicilian Defense: Najdorf Variation33B99 - Sicilian Defense: Najdorf Variation, Main Line143
Best Games
Gukesh,D vs Firouzja,Alireza1/2-1/2
12th Sinquefield Cup • 2025★ Notable
Erigaisi,Arjun vs Giri,A1/2-1/2
87th Tata Steel Masters • 2025★ Notable
Dominguez Perez,L vs Grischuk,A0-1
Saint Louis Blitz 2020 • 2020★ Notable
Erigaisi,Arjun vs Guo,Arthur0-1
PNWCC Online Blitz JP 14 • 2020★ Notable
Erigaisi,Arjun vs Bernadskiy,V0-1
PNWCC Online Blitz JP 12 • 2020★ Notable
Erigaisi,Arjun vs Zheng,Peter1-0
PNWCC Online Blitz JP 11 • 2020★ Notable
Nihal,Sarin vs Erigaisi,Arjun1-0
PNWCC Online Blitz JP 9 • 2020★ Notable
Erigaisi,Arjun vs Li,Max1-0
PNWCC Online Blitz JP 8 • 2020★ Notable
Aronian,L vs Nakamura,Hi1/2-1/2
7th Sinquefield Cup 2019 • 2019★ Notable
Nepomniachtchi,I vs Karjakin,Sergey1/2-1/2
Saint Louis Rapid 2017 • 2017★ Notable
Nakamura,Hi vs Nepomniachtchi,I1-0
Saint Louis Rapid 2017 • 2017★ Notable
Nepomniachtchi,I vs Gelfand,B1-0
Zurich Korchnoi CC 2017 • 2017★ Notable
Nepomniachtchi,I vs Grischuk,A1/2-1/2
Sharjah Grand Prix 2017 • 2017★ Notable
Nakamura,Hi vs Giri,A1/2-1/2
5th Zurich CC 2016 • 2016★ Notable
Carlsen,M vs Grischuk,A0-1
3rd Sinquefield Cup 2015 • 2015★ Notable
Anand,V vs Gelfand,B1/2-1/2
Zurich CC Rapid 2014 • 2014★ Notable
Adams,Mi vs Anand,V1/2-1/2
3rd London Chess Classic • 2011★ Notable
Karjakin,Sergey vs Nakamura,Hi1/2-1/2
6th Tal Memorial • 2011★ Notable
Carlsen,M vs Nepomniachtchi,I0-1
73rd Tata Steel GMA • 2011★ Notable
Carlsen,M vs Nakamura,Hi1-0
73rd Tata Steel GMA • 2011★ Notable