Chess Opening Theory/1. e4/1...c5/2. Nf3/2...d6/3. d4/3...cxd4/4. Nxd4/4...Nf6/5. Nc3/5...a6/6. Bg5/6...Nbd7

Sicilian Defence, Najdorf Variation
a b c d e f g h 8 8 7 7 6 6 5 5 4 4 3 3 2 2 1 1 a b c d e f g h
Position in Forsyth-Edwards Notation (FEN) r1bqkb1r/1p1npppp/p2p1n2/6B1/3NP3/2N5/PPP2PPP/R2QKB1R w
Moves: 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Bg5 Nbd7

Sicilian Defence, Najdorf Variation

Moves: 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6.Bg5 Nbd7

This knight move is a natural one in the Najdorf, and it also stops Bxf6, doubling the Black pawns. Although not as popular as the move 6...e6, it is a solid, respectable alternative to the main line. Both sides will usually castle queenside. Black, using his knights and light-squared bishop, will attempt to pressure e4. White, on the other hand, will try to get play on the a2-g8 diagonal and the central files.

Theory table

For explanation of theory tables, see theory table and for notation, see algebraic notation..

1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6.Bg5 Nbd7

	7	8	9	10
Main line	Bc4 Qa5	Qd2 e6	O-O-O b5	Bb3 Bb7	=

References

de Firmian, Nick. Modern Chess Openings. McKay Chess Library, New York: 2008.