B95
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.
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 Variation273B96 - Sicilian Defense: Najdorf Variation330B97 - Sicilian Defense: Najdorf Variation, Poisoned Pawn Accepted255B98 - Sicilian Defense: Najdorf Variation33B99 - Sicilian Defense: Najdorf Variation, Main Line143
Best Games
Celik, C. vs Navara, David0-1
Wch U14 1998Notable
Arencibia, Walter vs Ivanchuk, Vassily0-1
WchT 4th 1997Notable
Smyslov, Vassily vs Portisch, Lajos0-1
Tilburg 1979Notable
Svidler,P vs Nepomniachtchi,I0-1
Jerusalem Masters KO 2025 2025
Dominguez Perez,L vs Vachier Lagrave,M1/2-1/2
Saint Louis Rapid 2025 2025
Praggnanandhaa,R vs Wei Yi1/2-1/2
86th Tata Steel Masters 2024
Praggnanandhaa,R vs Maghsoodloo,Parham1/2-1/2
86th Tata Steel Masters 2024
Nepomniachtchi,I vs Carlsen,M1/2-1/2
AI Cup Div 1 W 2023
Predke,A vs Vachier Lagrave,M0-1
FIDE Grand Prix 2 Pool D 2022
Nepomniachtchi,I vs Abdusattorov,Nodirbek1-0
Titled Tuesday 26th May 2020
Carlsen,M vs Giri,A1/2-1/2
Carlsen Inv Prelim 2020
Carlsen,M vs Vachier Lagrave,M0-1
11th London Classic 2019 2019
Carlsen,M vs Vachier Lagrave,M1/2-1/2
11th London Classic 2019 2019
Nepomniachtchi,I vs Grischuk,A1-0
chess.com Speed 5m+1spm 2017 2018
Morozevich,A vs Shirov,A0-1
Fujitsu-Siemens Giants 2000
Short,N vs Kasparov,G1/2-1/2
Bosna SuperGM 2000
Timman, Jan H vs Kamsky, Gata0-1
Donner mem 1996
Morozevich, Alexander vs Anand, Viswanathan0-1
PCA/Intel-GP 1995
Spassky, Boris V vs Petrosian, Tigran V1/2-1/2
URS-ch22 1955
Geller, Efim P vs Spassky, Boris V0-1
Leningrad 1954