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.

Best Games

Stellwagen, Daniel R vs Nakamura, Hikaru1/2-1/2
Wch U12 • 1999★ Notable
Polgar, Judit vs Gelfand, Boris1/2-1/2
Linares 14th • 1997★ Notable
Polgar, Judit vs Kamsky, Gata1/2-1/2
Amber-blind 5th • 1996★ Notable
Anand, Viswanathan vs Ljubojevic, Ljubomir1-0
Amber-rapid 4th • 1995★ Notable
Polgar, Judit vs Ivanchuk, Vassily1-0
Amber-rapid 4th • 1995★ Notable
Polgar, Judit vs Ljubojevic, Ljubomir1/2-1/2
Amber-rapid 3rd • 1994★ Notable
Svidler, Peter vs Ruck, Robert1/2-1/2
Wch U18 • 1994★ Notable
Kamsky, Gata vs Ivanchuk, Vassily1/2-1/2
Wch Team • 1993★ Notable
Polgar, Judit vs Ljubojevic, Ljubomir1/2-1/2
Amber-blind 2nd • 1993★ Notable
Anand, Viswanathan vs Ljubojevic, Ljubomir1/2-1/2
Linares • 1992★ Notable
Anand, Viswanathan vs Ivanchuk, Vassily1/2-1/2
Linares m • 1992★ Notable
Short, Nigel D vs Gelfand, Boris0-1
Tilburg • 1990★ Notable
Beliavsky, Alexander G vs Portisch, Lajos1/2-1/2
Tilburg • 1986★ Notable
Van der Wiel, John TH vs Kasparov, Gary1-0
Wch U16 • 1976★ Notable
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

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