Sicilian DefenseB90

Najdorf Variation

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6

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Every move explained, never a dead end.

Both sides plans

White's plan

A race. White attacks on the kingside: f3 to support e4, then g4 and g5 to kick the f6-knight, castle long, and h4-h5.

Black's plan

...a6 prepares ...b5. Black wins the b5-square for their pieces, pushes ...b5-b4 to kick the c3-knight and hit e4, and piles up on the c-file.

The line, move by move

  1. 1. e4e4 occupies the center.
  2. ... c5c5 controls d4.
  3. 2. Nf3Nf3 develops the knight and controls d4 and e5.
  4. ... d6d6 controls e5.
  5. 3. d4d4 strikes at the center.
  6. ... cxd4cxd4 captures a pawn, occupies the center.
  7. 4. Nxd4Nxd4 captures a pawn.
  8. ... Nf6Nf6 develops the knight and controls e4 and d5.
  9. 5. Nc3Nc3 develops the knight and controls e4 and d5.
  10. ... a6a6 repositions the pawn.
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Other major variations

Najdorf Variation (B90) · Sicilian Defense · OpeningMate