B98

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

Radjabov,T vs Dominguez,L1-0
FIDE WCh KO • 2004★ Notable
Keres, Paul vs Najdorf, Miguel1-0
Gothenburg Interzonal • 1955★ Notable
Nakamura,Hi vs Carlsen,M1/2-1/2
chess.com SpeedChess 2022 • 2022
Karjakin,Sergey vs Nepomniachtchi,I1/2-1/2
Cote d'Ivoire Rapid 2019 • 2019
Firouzja,Alireza vs Blackman,J1-0
43rd Olympiad 2018 • 2018
Smeets,J vs Nakamura,Hi1/2-1/2
Corus A • 2010
Karjakin,Sergey vs Polgar,Ju1-0
Blindfold World Cup • 2007
Ivanchuk,V vs Vallejo Pons,F1-0
Amber Blindfold • 2005
Leko,P vs Morozevich,A1-0
Corus • 2001
Ljubojevic, Ljubomir vs Polgar, Judit1/2-1/2
Moscow ol (Men) • 1994
Gligoric, Svetozar vs Fischer, Robert James1/2-1/2
Portoroz Interzonal • 1958
Spassky, Boris V vs Pilnik, Herman1-0
Gothenburg Interzonal • 1955
Geller, Efim P vs Panno, Oscar1-0
Gothenburg Interzonal • 1955
Zeltsan,Joseph vs Kramnik,V0-1
Titled Tue 17th Sep Late • 2024
Csonka,B vs Firouzja,Alireza0-1
Titled Tue 2nd Apr Early • 2024
Dubov,Daniil vs Kramnik,V1-0
Armageddon Asia&Oceania W • 2023
Hartikainen,J vs Svidler,P0-1
Titled Tuesday 6th July • 2021
Lobanov,Sergei vs Firouzja,Alireza0-1
Titled Tuesday 16th Feb • 2021
Baron,Ta vs Nepomniachtchi,I0-1
31st ECC Open 2015 • 2015
Duda,J vs Jakubowski,K1/2-1/2
European Rapid Championship • 2010

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