The Najdorf Sicilian

                                                                                      by hajm 2 October 2021

A brief guide for Black.

1.      e2-e4        c7-c5

Staking a claim on d4.

2.      ¤g2-f3     d7-d6

Restraining e4-e5.

3.      d2-d4       c5xd4

4.      ¤f3xd4     ¤g8-f6       

Attacking the loose pawn on e4.

5.      ¤b1-c3     a7-a6

Denying White’s knights and light-square bishop of b5.

6.      ¥c1-e3       

The most popular continuation; however White has a number of alternatives here, including 6. f2-f3,
6. ¥c1-g5, and Karpov’s 6. ¥f1-e2.

6.      ..                e7-e5

This move heralds the Najdorf Sicilian. Black gets good piece play while accepting a problematic central pawn structure.

7.      ¤d4-b3    ¥c8-e6

Black’s bishop joins the fight for d5.  If Black can successfully open lines with d6-d5, he frequently will get a good game.

Typically, White castles queenside and Black kingside, after which pawn storms against the opposing king are launched by both players.

8.      f2-f3          

This move prevents the Black knight from harassing White’s dark-squared bishop (DSB) on e3 while also preparing the pawn foray g2-g4.

8.      ..                ¥f8-e7

9.      £d1-d2    0-0

10.    0-0-0        ¤b8-d7      

Now that both sides have almost completed their development, each takes aim at the opposing king.

11.    g2-g4        b7-b5

12.    g4-g5        b5-b4

13.    ¤c3-e2     ¤f6-e8

The pawn storms intensify.

14.    f2-f4         a6-a5

15.    f4-f5         a5-a4

16.    f5xe6         a4xb3

17.    c2xb3        f7xe6

Black is nearly equal in a complex, fighting position.

A different, quieter approach by Black has its own appeal.

8.      f2-f3         h7-h5!?

Countering White’s threat to push the g-pawn while also claiming space on the kingside.

9.      £d1-d2    ¤b8-d7

10.    ¤c3-d5 ¥e6xd5

11.    e4xd5        g7-g6

Black’s dark-squared bishop (DSB) is best placed on the long diagonal, so room is made for the bishop.

12.    ¥f1-e2      ¥f8-g7

13.    0-0            b7-b6!

Black claims important space on the queenside and intends to castle kingside on his next move.

The position is equal and quite quiet.