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.
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 Variation330B97 - Sicilian Defense: Najdorf Variation, Poisoned Pawn Accepted255B98 - Sicilian Defense: Najdorf Variation33
Best Games
Grischuk,A vs Dominguez Perez,L1-0
19th Amber Blindfold 2010Notable
Radjabov,T vs Ivanchuk,V1/2-1/2
37th Olympiad 2006Notable
Leko,P vs Shirov,A1/2-1/2
Amber Rapidplay 2001Notable
Navara, David vs Jun Zhao0-1
Wch U14 1999Notable
Efimenko, Zahar vs Navara, David1/2-1/2
Wch U14 1998Notable
Navara, David vs Volokitin, Andrei1-0
Wch U12 1997Notable
Kasimdzhanov, Rustam vs Tzoumbas, Anastasios0-1
Wch U16 1993Notable
Timman, Jan H vs Ljubojevic, Ljubomir0-1
Tilburg 1983Notable
Spassky, Boris V vs Fischer, Robert James1/2-1/2
World Championship 28th 1972Notable
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
Shirov,A vs Dominguez Perez,L1/2-1/2
5th MTel Masters 2009
Ivanchuk,V vs Topalov,V0-1
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
Timman, Jan H vs Portisch, Lajos1-0
EU-chT Plovdiv 1983