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Sicilian Najdorf

You play Black. It starts 1.e4 c5.

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The Sicilian Najdorf after 1.e4 c5

The Sicilian Najdorf is the most famous fighting answer to 1.e4. The move ...a6 is small but flexible: it stops pieces from coming to b5 and prepares ...e5 or ...e6 and queenside play with ...b5. This course also covers White's ways to avoid the open Sicilian.

The course is built from 2,43,837 games of the Sicilian Najdorf by strong players in Chess Castles' database: the lines below are the ones they really play, with the score Black made in each.

The first moves, one by one

  1. 1.e4 It takes a centre square (e4). It opens a line for the queen on d1. It opens a line for the bishop on f1.
  2. 1...c5 It controls the centre (d4). It opens a line for the queen on d8.

Open Sicilian: the Najdorf (5...a6)

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

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Sicilian Najdorf: Open Sicilian: the Najdorf (5...a6)

Move by move

  1. 2.Nf3 It develops the knight into the game. It controls the centre (d4, e5).
  2. 2...d6 It controls the centre (e5). It opens a line for the bishop on c8.
  3. 3.d4 It takes a centre square (d4). It opens a line for the bishop on c1. It opens a line for the queen on d1. It challenges the opponent's pawns.
  4. 3...cxd4 It captures the pawn on d4. It takes a centre square (d4). It gains space.
  5. 4.Nxd4 It captures the pawn on d4. It takes a centre square (d4).
  6. 4...Nf6 It develops the knight into the game. It controls the centre (e4, d5). It attacks the pawn on e4.
  7. 5.Nc3 It develops the knight into the game. It controls the centre (e4, d5).
  8. 5...a6

Plans for Black

  • In the open Sicilian Black has the extra centre pawn and the half-open c-file: put a rook on c8 and press on c4 and c3.
  • ...e5 gains space and kicks the d4 knight; then the d5 square is the key, so control it with pieces.
  • ...b5 and ...Bb7 start queenside play while White attacks on the kingside: count who is faster.
  • Watch out: Against the English Attack (Be3, f3, Qd2, g4) White storms your king: counter-attack quickly, do not wait.

Moscow Variation (3.Bb5+)

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.Bb5+

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Sicilian Najdorf: Moscow Variation (3.Bb5+)

Move by move

  1. 2.Nf3 It develops the knight into the game. It controls the centre (d4, e5).
  2. 2...d6 It controls the centre (e5). It opens a line for the bishop on c8.
  3. 3.Bb5+ It develops the bishop into the game. Now castling is possible. It gives check.

Plans for Black

  • Against 3.Bb5+ block with ...Bd7 or ...Nd7; after the bishop exchange develop with ...Nf6, ...g6 and ...Bg7.
  • Black keeps a healthy position; the c-file and the long diagonal give good play.

Alapin (2.c3)

1.e4 c5 2.c3

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Sicilian Najdorf: Alapin (2.c3)

Move by move

  1. 2.c3 It controls the centre (d4). It opens a line for the queen on d1.

Plans for Black

  • Against 2.c3 hit the centre at once with ...d5 or ...Nf6: White wants d4 next.
  • After ...Nf6 e5 Nd5 the knight is strong in the centre; develop with ...Nc6 and ...d6.

Closed Sicilian (2.Nc3)

1.e4 c5 2.Nc3

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Sicilian Najdorf: Closed Sicilian (2.Nc3)

Move by move

  1. 2.Nc3 It develops the knight into the game. It controls the centre (e4, d5).

Plans for Black

  • Against 2.Nc3 (the Closed Sicilian and the Grand Prix with f4) develop with ...Nc6, ...g6 and ...Bg7.
  • Play on the queenside with ...Rb8 and ...b5 while White attacks on the kingside.

Other replies

  • Against rare second moves develop naturally and keep the ...d5 break in mind.
  • The c-file and active pieces are Black's strength in every Sicilian.

How each line scores

LineMovesGamesBlack scores
4.Nxd4 · Sicilian Defense1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd477,97048%
2.Nc3 · Closed1.e4 c5 2.Nc348,53350%
2.c3 · Alapin Variation1.e4 c5 2.c340,54650%
3.Bb5+ · Moscow Variation1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.Bb5+24,73749%
3.c3 · Delayed Alapin Variation, with d61.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.c37,50947%
4.Qxd4 · Chekhover Variation1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Qxd47,11647%
2.d4 · Smith-Morra Gambit1.e4 c5 2.d43,99957%
2.d3 · Sicilian Defense1.e4 c5 2.d33,73849%
2.b3 · Czerniak Attack1.e4 c5 2.b33,48350%

The score counts a win as 1 and a draw as ½, from Black's side, in games between strong players.

On the board: the course (plans, model games, puzzles from real games of the opening), and the opening trainer, which drills the moves until you know them (a free account keeps your progress).

More openings: Caro-Kann Defence, Jobava London, Chebanenko Slav, Ruy Lopez, Italian Game, Queen's Gambit, London System, French Defence, King's Indian Defence, Queen's Gambit Declined.