Semi-Open · a defense for Black

Sicilian Defense: Najdorf Variation, Goteborg Variation

18/18
1.e4c52.Nf3d63.d4cxd44.Nxd4Nf65.Nc3a66.Bg5e67.f4Be78.Qf3h69.Bh4g5
Live databaseLichess 1600–2000 · blitz + rapid
Sicilian Defense: Najdorf Variation, Goteborg Variation8.6k games · White to move
MoveWhite / draw / BlackPlayedGamesScore
95%8.2k45%
2.4%20351%
1.9%16551%
0.2%2048%
0%450%
0%1100%
0%10%
0%10%
Famous games in this line98 master games
Zhigalko, Sergei (2649) – Safarli, Eltaj (2645)2012½–½Balogh, Csaba (2601) – Negi, Parimarjan (2618)2011½–½Korneev, Oleg (2602) – Cheparinov, Ivan (2572)2005½–½Li, Chao B (2619) – Xiu, Deshun (2508)20100–1Mikhalchishin, Adrian (2535) – Kupreichik, Viktor D (2580)1981½–½Shabalov, Alexander (2601) – Sadvakasov, Darmen (2509)20001–0Balogh, Csaba (2601) – Grigoryan, Karen H (2463)20111–0Gheorghiu, Florin (2545) – Matulovic, Milan (2510)1977½–½
Heroes of this opening Xiu, Deshun · Shabalov, Alexander · Balogh, Csaba
Family
Sicilian Defense
Category
Semi-Open
First move
1.e4
ECO
B98
Line
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Bg5 e6 7. f4 Be7 8. Qf3 h6 9. Bh4 g5
Sharp
★ Read the guide: Sicilian Defense: Najdorf VariationExplore all 388 Sicilian Defense lines →
Keep exploring
Nearby lines in the family
Sicilian Defense: Najdorf Variation, Main Line8…Qc7 9.O-O-O Nbd7Sicilian Defense: Najdorf Variation, Browne Variation9…Qc7Sicilian Defense: Richter-Rauzer Variation, Rauzer Attack5…Nc6 6.Bg5 e6 7.Qd2 Be7 8.O-O-O …
From the archives

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.

Study this opening
Videos on YouTube ↗Wikipedia: Sicilian Defense ↗