Semi-Open · a defense for Black

Sicilian Defense: Najdorf Variation, Ivkov Variation

23/23
1.e4c52.Nf3d63.d4cxd44.Nxd4Nf65.Nc3a66.Bg5Nbd77.Bc4Qa58.Qd2e69.O-O-Ob510.Bb3Bb711.Rhe1Nc512.e5
Live databaseLichess 1600–2000 · blitz + rapid
Sicilian Defense: Najdorf Variation, Ivkov Variation1 games · Black to move
Only 1 games reach this position at this level — read it loosely.
MoveWhite / draw / BlackPlayedGamesScore
100%150%
Category
Semi-Open
First move
1.e4
ECO
B94
Line
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Bg5 Nbd7 7. Bc4 Qa5 8. Qd2 e6 9. O-O-O b5 10. Bb3 Bb7 11. Rhe1 Nc5 12. e5
Sharp
Read the guide: Sicilian Defense: Najdorf VariationExplore all 388 Sicilian Defense lines
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No reply to 1.e4 is played more. Fischer made the Najdorf his main weapon, and Kasparov's Sicilians are pillars of chess history — the Scheveningen against Karpov, the Dragon he unveiled against Anand in 1995. When you play 1...c5 you refuse symmetry, the same refusal that carried two world champions.

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