ChessAnalyzerSicilian Najdorf: moves, ideas and plans
Black's fighting answer to 1.e4. Unbalanced positions where Black plays for a win.
B90Play it as BlackAdvanced14 moves
Main line: 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Be3 e5 7. Nb3 Be6
Key ideas
- ...c5 trades a wing pawn for White's centre pawn.
- ...a6 controls b5 and prepares ...e5 or ...b5.
- After ...e5 the d5 square is the key battleground.
The Sicilian Najdorf move by move
Every move of the main line, with the reason it is played. The final position is recognised in the opening database as B90 Sicilian Defense: Najdorf Variation, English Attack.
- 1. e4White's most popular first move.
- 1… c5The Sicilian: Black fights for d4 from the side and keeps the position unbalanced.
- 2. Nf3Prepares d4.
- 2… d6Controls e5 and prepares ...Nf6.
- 3. d4White opens the centre.
- 3… cxd4Black trades a wing pawn for a central one.
- 4. Nxd4White recaptures with a strong central knight.
- 4… Nf6Attacks e4, forcing White to defend it.
- 5. Nc3Defends e4.
- 5… a6The Najdorf. It stops Nb5 and Bb5 and prepares ...e5.
- 6. Be3The English Attack setup: Be3, f3, Qd2 and a kingside pawn storm.
- 6… e5Black gains space and kicks the knight.
- 7. Nb3The knight retreats, keeping an eye on d4 and c5.
- 7… Be6Fights for d5, the key square in this structure.
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More openings for Black
French Defence
A solid defence: Black accepts less space in return for a strong chain and counter-play against White's centre.
Caro-Kann Defence
Solid and sound. Black gets the c8 bishop out before playing ...e6, avoiding the French's main problem.
King's Indian Defence
Let White build a centre, then attack it and the white king. A favourite of attacking players.