B90

Sicilian Defense: Najdorf 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

Caruana,F vs Dominguez Perez,L1/2-1/2
Saint Louis Blitz 20252025★ Notable
Gukesh,D vs Abdusattorov,Nodirbek1/2-1/2
45th Olympiad 20242024★ Notable
So,W vs Aronian,L1/2-1/2
Saint Louis Rapid 20242024★ Notable
Caruana,F vs Firouzja,Alireza1-0
FIDE Candidates 20242024★ Notable
Dominguez Perez,L vs Caruana,F1/2-1/2
10th Sinquefield Cup2023★ Notable
Gukesh,D vs So,W0-1
Tata Steel India Blitz2022★ Notable
Dominguez Perez,L vs Firouzja,Alireza1/2-1/2
9th Sinquefield Cup 20222022★ Notable
Dominguez Perez,L vs Nepomniachtchi,I1/2-1/2
9th Sinquefield Cup 20222022★ Notable
Abdusattorov,Nodirbek vs Giri,A1/2-1/2
44th Olympiad 20222022★ Notable
Nakamura,Hi vs Duda,J1-0
FIDE Candidates 20222022★ Notable
Nakamura,Hi vs Firouzja,Alireza1-0
FIDE Candidates 20222022★ Notable
Nepomniachtchi,I vs Firouzja,Alireza1-0
FIDE Candidates 20222022★ Notable
Caruana,F vs Duda,J1/2-1/2
FIDE Candidates 20222022★ Notable
Karjakin,Sergey vs Firouzja,Alireza0-1
9th Norway Chess 20212021★ Notable
Abdusattorov,Nodirbek vs Rasulov,Vu1-0
PNWCC Super G60 Feb Gp12021★ Notable
Aronian,L vs Dominguez Perez,L1/2-1/2
Saint Louis Blitz 20202020★ Notable
Adams,Mi vs Keymer,Vincent1-0
53rd Biel GMT 20202020★ Notable
Abdusattorov,Nodirbek vs Vantika,Agrawal1-0
PNWCC Online Blitz JP 172020★ Notable
Abdusattorov,Nodirbek vs Narayanan,SL0-1
PNWCC Online Blitz JP 162020★ Notable
Kobo,Ori vs Abdusattorov,Nodirbek0-1
PNWCC Online Blitz JP 152020★ Notable