ECO B90 · for Black
Sicilian Defense: Najdorf Variation
The line below is what Lichess 1600-1800 players actually play: after the opening's defining moves, each move is the most common choice at that point. The notes are Chessbook's move notes, the same ones shown while building a repertoire.
3,754,940 games in this band reached the Najdorf Variation position. From there Black won 48% and drew 4%.
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Bg5 e6 7. f4 Be7 8. Qf3 Qc7 9. O-O-O Nbd7 10. g4
Moves 1 to 2
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6
1. e4
"Best by test" according to Bobby Fisher.
1... c5
A counter-attacking opening. The asymmetry generally leads to sharp games.
2. Nf3
2... d6
Preventing white from playing e5 so that the knight can be developed to f6.
Moves 3 to 4
3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6
3. d4
Advancing the pawn to d4 is the Open Sicilian, aiming to control the center and open lines for the pieces. This move also prepares for a quick development of the bishop and queen.
3... cxd4
Capturing the pawn on d4 is the main line of the Sicilian Defense, aiming to trade a central pawn for a bishop's pawn and open up the c-file for future rook activity.
4. Nxd4
Recapturing the pawn, centralizing the knight and preparing for rapid development and kingside castling.
4... Nf6
Developing the knight to a natural square, preparing to castle kingside and putting pressure on the e4 pawn.
Moves 5 to 6
5. Nc3 a6 6. Bg5 e6
5. Nc3
Developing the knight to a natural square, preparing to castle kingside and controlling the center. This move also opens up the possibility for the bishop to be developed to either e2 or d3.
5... a6
Preparing for the b5 pawn push and Bb7, a common setup in the Sicilian Defense. This move also prevents any annoying Nb5 or Bb5 checks from white.
6. Bg5
Developing the bishop while pressuring the knight and preparing to castle queenside quickly.
- 6. Be3: White has a simple plan of playing Qd2, castling queenside, playing f3 to support e4 and g4 and pushing forward the kingside pawns.
- 6. Bc4: Developing the bishop and intending to castle kingside and expand with f4, launching a possible kingside or attack in the center.
- 6. Bd3: Developing the bishop and protecting the e4 pawn, while also preparing to castle.
- 6. Be2: Developing the bishop and then aiming to castle kingside quickly and attack with an f4 push.
6... e6
Advancing the e-pawn to develop the dark squared bishop and castle kingside.
Moves 7 to 8
7. f4 Be7 8. Qf3 Qc7
7. f4
Expanding on the kingside and preparing to either a kingside or central attack. In some cases both.
7... Be7
Developing the bishop while relieving the pin on the knight and preparing to castle kingside.
8. Qf3
Improving the positioning of the queen where it can aid in the attack. White will most likely castle queenside and attack black's king.
8... Qc7
Removing the queen from the d-file where it could be attacked by White's rook and preventing White from playing e5.
Moves 9 to 10
9. O-O-O Nbd7 10. g4
9. O-O-O
Castling queenside and preparing to launch an attack on the Black kingside.
9... Nbd7
Developing the knight while remaining flexible. Black can go for a plan of b5 and Bb7 or h6 and attack White's bishop.
10. g4
Gaining space on the kingside and getting an attack started.
Plans for Black in this position
What Black usually does from here in Chessbook's games data. Hover a move to see it on the board.
- Black typically castles kingside
- The knight on d7 or bishop on e7 generally recaptures the bishop on f6
- The knight on f6 often moves to d7
- Common pawn moves are h6, b5, and b4
Related opening guides
- Sicilian Defense for Black
- French Defense for Black
- Scandinavian Defense for Black
- Caro-Kann Defense for Black
- Scandinavian Defense: Mieses-Kotroc Variation for Black
- Philidor Defense for Black