B93
Sicilian Defense: Najdorf Variation, Amsterdam 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 Variation280B92 - Sicilian Defense: Najdorf Variation, Opocensky Variation852B94 - 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
Stellwagen, Daniel R vs Nakamura, Hikaru1/2-1/2
Wch U12 1999Notable
Polgar, Judit vs Gelfand, Boris1/2-1/2
Linares 14th 1997Notable
Polgar, Judit vs Kamsky, Gata1/2-1/2
Amber-blind 5th 1996Notable
Polgar, Judit vs Ivanchuk, Vassily1-0
Amber-rapid 4th 1995Notable
Anand, Viswanathan vs Ljubojevic, Ljubomir1-0
Amber-rapid 4th 1995Notable
Polgar, Judit vs Ljubojevic, Ljubomir1/2-1/2
Amber-rapid 3rd 1994Notable
Svidler, Peter vs Ruck, Robert1/2-1/2
Wch U18 1994Notable
Kamsky, Gata vs Ivanchuk, Vassily1/2-1/2
Wch Team 1993Notable
Polgar, Judit vs Ljubojevic, Ljubomir1/2-1/2
Amber-blind 2nd 1993Notable
Anand, Viswanathan vs Ivanchuk, Vassily1/2-1/2
Linares m 1992Notable
Anand, Viswanathan vs Ljubojevic, Ljubomir1/2-1/2
Linares 1992Notable
Short, Nigel D vs Gelfand, Boris0-1
Tilburg 1990Notable
Beliavsky, Alexander G vs Portisch, Lajos1/2-1/2
Tilburg 1986Notable
Van der Wiel, John TH vs Kasparov, Gary1-0
Wch U16 1976Notable
Caruana,F vs Shankland,S1-0
Saint Louis Rapid 2025 2025
Nakamura,Hi vs Giri,A1/2-1/2
Skilling Open Prelim 2020
Bilguun,Sumiya vs Abdusattorov,Nodirbek1/2-1/2
43rd Olympiad 2018 2018
Dzhumaev,M vs Svidler,P1/2-1/2
41st Olympiad Open 2014 2014
Ivanchuk,V vs Dominguez Perez,L1/2-1/2
49th Capablanca Elite 2014 2014
Polgar,Ju vs Ivanchuk,V0-1
IV World Blitz 2008