B99

Sicilian Defense: Najdorf Variation, Main Line

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

Grischuk,A vs Dominguez Perez,L1-0
19th Amber Blindfold • 2010★ Notable
Radjabov,T vs Ivanchuk,V1/2-1/2
37th Olympiad • 2006★ Notable
Leko,P vs Shirov,A1/2-1/2
Amber Rapidplay • 2001★ Notable
Navara, David vs Jun Zhao0-1
Wch U14 • 1999★ Notable
Efimenko, Zahar vs Navara, David1/2-1/2
Wch U14 • 1998★ Notable
Navara, David vs Volokitin, Andrei1-0
Wch U12 • 1997★ Notable
Kasimdzhanov, Rustam vs Tzoumbas, Anastasios0-1
Wch U16 • 1993★ Notable
Timman, Jan H vs Ljubojevic, Ljubomir0-1
Tilburg • 1983★ Notable
Spassky, Boris V vs Fischer, Robert James1/2-1/2
World Championship 28th • 1972★ Notable
Grischuk,A vs Aronian,L0-1
Levitov Chess Week Rapid • 2023
Giri,A vs Grischuk,A1/2-1/2
Chessbrah Inv May 2020 • 2020
Karjakin,Sergey vs Ivanchuk,V1/2-1/2
10th World Teams 2015 • 2015
Ivanchuk,V vs Topalov,V0-1
5th MTel Masters • 2009
Shirov,A vs Dominguez Perez,L1/2-1/2
5th MTel Masters • 2009
Navara,D vs Shirov,A0-1
Blitz Match • 2005
Polgar, Judit vs Gelfand, Boris1/2-1/2
Vienna Millenium • 1996
Kamsky, Gata vs Polgar, Judit1-0
Paris Immopar rapid • 1992
Ivanchuk, Vassily vs De Firmian, Nick E1-0
Reggio Emilia8990 • 1989
Timman, Jan H vs Ljubojevic, Ljubomir1-0
Niksic • 1983
Tal, Mihail vs Portisch, Lajos1/2-1/2
Niksic • 1983

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