Sicilian Defense: Najdorf Variation

ECO B90-B99advanced

The Najdorf arises after 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 and is widely regarded as the gold standard of Sicilian systems — the favorite of Fischer and Kasparov. The modest 5...a6 prevents Nb5 and Bb5+ ideas and keeps every plan available: ...e5 striking the center, ...e6 transposing to Scheveningen structures, and queenside expansion with ...b5. White's sixth-move choice (6.Be3, 6.Bg5, 6.Be2, 6.f3) defines entire bodies of theory.

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Main line

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.

Diagram shows the position after 6 half-moves of the main line. On SpeakChess you can drill this line move by move — the trainer plays the other side and corrects you instantly, then spaced repetition schedules each variation so you review it right before you would forget it.

Move by move

The first 12 moves of the main line, explained one at a time. Every move of every variation is annotated like this inside the trainer — this page shows the opening moves so you can judge the explanations before signing up.

White starts the game by pushing the pawn two steps forward to e4, a light square right in the middle. This is a brave first move that grabs space and opens roads for the queen and the bishop on f1 to come out later.
Black plays c5, advancing the pawn two squares from its starting square. This is the Sicilian Defense, a standard response that indirectly challenges White's center.
White moves their knight from g1 to f3. This is a good developing move that helps get your pieces into the game.
Black advances the pawn from d7 to d6. This supports the c5 pawn and controls the e5 square, preparing for the development of the king's bishop.
White marches the d-pawn up to d4, a dark square in the heart of the board. Now there is a strong pawn on e4 too, so White is claiming lots of room in the center, with the knight already active on f3.
Black slides a pawn over to d4, a dark square, grabbing White's pawn there. Trading in the center like this is a classic Sicilian idea, giving Black a free, busy pawn standing proudly on d4.
The knight moves from f3 to d4, capturing a pawn. This centralizes the knight, controlling key squares.
Black moves their knight from g8 to f6. This is a great developing move, which means you're bringing a piece out to help control the middle of the board!
The knight moves to c3, developing it from its starting square. This centralizes the knight and prepares for further activity in the opening.
Black moves a pawn from a7 to a6. This is a simple one-step push. It's a good, safe move to start building your pawn line.
You move your bishop from c1 to g5. This is a great developing move, getting a strong piece into the game!
Black moves a pawn from its starting spot on e7 forward to the e6 square. This is a good, solid move.

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Win rates by rating

Results from real online games, measured after the line shown in each row. Most opening sites show one aggregate number — how an opening scores depends heavily on who is playing it.

Rating	Games	White wins	Draws	Black wins	Position after
400-600	109	48.6%	4.6%	46.8%	1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6
600-800	35	40%	2.9%	57.1%	1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.Bg5 e6
800-1000	400	44.5%	2.5%	53%	1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.Bg5 e6
1000-1200	254	44.9%	3.2%	52%	1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.Bg5 e6
1200-1400	10,417	44.5%	2.7%	52.8%	1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.Bg5 e6
1400-1600	27,693	44.9%	3.1%	52.1%	1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.Bg5 e6
1600-1800	5,456	43.9%	3.4%	52.7%	1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.Bg5 e6
1800-2000	8,454	46%	3.9%	50.2%	1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.Bg5 e6
2000-2200	10,135	48.5%	4.3%	47.2%	1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.Bg5 e6
2200-2400	7,069	49.4%	5%	45.7%	1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.Bg5 e6

Most played continuations (1400-1600 rating)

After 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.Bg5 e6:

Bd3 — played 22.7% of the time (White wins 43.7%, draws 3%, Black wins 53.3%)
f4 — played 17.3% of the time (White wins 49.1%, draws 2.8%, Black wins 48%)
Bc4 — played 14.7% of the time (White wins 41.8%, draws 3.4%, Black wins 54.8%)

Related openings

Frequently asked questions

What is the point of 5...a6 in the Najdorf?

It takes away the b5 square from White's knights and bishop, preparing ...e5 without allowing Nb5 hitting d6, and supports ...b5 gaining queenside space. It is a rare case of a quiet pawn move being the most flexible and ambitious option available.

Is the Najdorf too theoretical for amateurs?

The English Attack (6.Be3 with f3, Qd2, 0-0-0) and 6.Bg5 lines are genuinely heavy theory. But at club level most games leave known paths early, and the Najdorf's core plans — pressure on e4, the ...b5-b4 storm, the timely ...d5 break — win games on understanding. Start with one setup against each White sixth move.