Semi-Open · a defense for Black
Sicilian Defense: Najdorf Variation
10/10
1.e4c52.Nf3d63.d4cxd44.Nxd4Nf65.Nc3a6
Live databaseLichess 1600–2000 · blitz + rapid
Sicilian Defense: Najdorf Variation14.1M games · White to move
MoveWhite / draw / BlackPlayedGamesScore
7.9%1.1M52%
3.8%540k48%
Famous games in this line127k master games
Carlsen, M. (2876) – Grischuk, A. (2781)Ding, Liren (2791) – Carlsen, Magnus (2863)Ding, Liren (2791) – Carlsen, Magnus (2863)Carlsen, Magnus (2863) – Ding, Liren (2791)Carlsen, M. (2872) – Vachier Lagrave, M. (2780)Carlsen, M. (2872) – Vachier Lagrave, M. (2780)Nepomniachtchi, Ian (2784) – Carlsen, Magnus (2863)Nepomniachtchi, Ian (2784) – Carlsen, Magnus (2863)Heroes of this opening Carlsen, Magnus · Ding, Liren · Vachier Lagrave, M. · Nepomniachtchi, Ian
- Family
- Sicilian Defense
- Category
- Semi-Open
- First move
- 1.e4
- ECO
- B90
- Line
- 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6
Sharp
★ Read the guide: Sicilian Defense: Najdorf VariationExplore all 388 Sicilian Defense lines →Keep exploring
Go deeper — named lines from here
Sicilian Defense: Najdorf Variation, Adams Attack6.h3Sicilian Defense: Najdorf Variation, Dekker Gambit6.g4Sicilian Defense: Najdorf Variation, English Attack6.Be3 · 5 deeper linesSicilian Defense: Najdorf Variation, Petronić Attack6.Rg1
Nearby lines in the family
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