Chess opening · ECO B90
Sicilian Defense: Najdorf Variation
Too modest for such a sharp opening, or so it looks: the Najdorf begins with the pawn move 5...a6. It controls b5, so White's knights and light-squared bishop cannot use that square, and it prepares ...b5 to grab queenside space. Black keeps the choice between ...e5 and ...e6 for later.
- Rank by weighted share
- #76 of 159
Key moves
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6
- 4... Nf6Black develops with tempo, hitting the e4 pawn so that White must spend a move protecting it. That is why Nc3 follows almost automatically, and the knight on c3 then covers d5 and b5.
- 5... a6Takes b5 away from White's pieces and prepares ...b5 and ...Bb7, so the bishop can join the knight in hitting e4. Because it commits no central pawn, Black can pick ...e5 or ...e6 after seeing which setup White has chosen.
Three ways White sets up
Bg5 targets the f6 knight, the main defender of Black's center, and usually prepares f4 with a quick e5 or f5 push. Black usually answers with ...e6, which covers d5 and f5 and opens a path for the f8 bishop.
Be3 tends to come with f3, Qd2 and queenside castling. Against the Najdorf this scheme has a different flavor than against ...g6 lines, because Black's king can stay in the center for longer and ...b5 arrives quickly.
Be2 is the quiet route. White castles short and plays for space, and Black often answers with ...e5, giving up the d5 square in return for a firm grip on d4 and f4.
The d5 square after ...e5
When Black pushes ...e5, the d6 pawn becomes backward on a half-open file and d5 turns into a natural post for a white knight. Black accepts this because the pawn drives the d4 knight back and claims central space. Much of Najdorf strategy comes down to whether White can plant a piece on d5 that Black cannot trade off.
Top replies by rating
Bg5 leads or shares the lead in every band except 1800 to 1999, where Be2 edges ahead.
| Rating | Top | Second | Third |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1200–1399 | Bg5 23% | Bc4 23% | Be3 19% |
| 1400–1599 | Bg5 22% | Be3 16% | Be2 15% |
| 1600–1799 | Bg5 21% | Be3 19% | Be2 16% |
| 1800–1999 | Be2 21% | Bg5 19% | Be3 19% |
| 2000 and up | Bg5 23% | Be3 19% | Be2 18% |
Questions
Is 5...a6 a loss of time?
It develops no piece, but it does useful work: it covers b5 against Ndb5 and Bb5 ideas and prepares queenside expansion. Black spends the move on flexibility, choosing a pawn structure only after White has committed.
Related openings
Try it on the board. The first coached game and three analyses are free.