B97
Sicilian Defense: Najdorf Variation, Poisoned Pawn Accepted
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 Variation852B93 - Sicilian Defense: Najdorf Variation, Amsterdam Variation252B94 - Sicilian Defense: Najdorf Variation273B95 - Sicilian Defense: Najdorf Variation119B96 - Sicilian Defense: Najdorf Variation330B98 - Sicilian Defense: Najdorf Variation33B99 - Sicilian Defense: Najdorf Variation, Main Line143
Best Games
Caruana,F vs Vachier Lagrave,M1-0
FIDE Candidates 2020 2021Notable
Tabatabaei,M vs Erigaisi,Arjun1-0
PNWCC Bullet (1+1) 2020 2020Notable
Sevian,Samuel vs Erigaisi,Arjun1-0
PNWCC Online Blitz JP 12 2020Notable
Dominguez Perez,L vs Raja,H1-0
PNWCC Online Blitz JP 8 2020Notable
Caruana,F vs Nakamura,Hi1-0
5th Norway Chess 2017 2017Notable
Nakamura,Hi vs Nepomniachtchi,I1-0
Moscow Grand Prix 2017 2017Notable
Radjabov,T vs Grischuk,A1/2-1/2
Moscow Grand Prix 2017 2017Notable
Karjakin,Sergey vs Anand,V1/2-1/2
8th Tal Memorial 2013Notable
Ivanchuk,V vs Grischuk,A1-0
19th Amber Rapid 2010Notable
Ivanchuk,V vs Carlsen,M1-0
19th Amber Rapid 2010Notable
Anand,V vs Nepomniachtchi,I0-1
14th WCh-Rapid Prelim 2009Notable
Kamsky,G vs Vallejo Pons,F0-1
WCC Places 9-12 2005Notable
Kamsky,G vs Sakaev,K1-0
WCC Places 9-16 2005Notable
Kamsky,G vs Smirin,I0-1
WCC 2005Notable
Kamsky,G vs Smirin,I1/2-1/2
WCC 2005Notable
Navara, David vs Areshchenko, Olexandr0-1
Wch U14 1999Notable
Short, Nigel D vs Kasparov, Gary0-1
PCA-World Championship 1993Notable
Ljubojevic, Ljubomir vs Portisch, Lajos1-0
Reggio Emilia91 Top15 1991Notable
Ivanchuk, Vassily vs Kasparov, Gary0-1
Linares 1990Notable
Timman, Jan H vs Ljubojevic, Ljubomir1/2-1/2
Tilburg 1986Notable