Sicilian Najdorf: How to Play It
Fischer and Kasparov's weapon of choice, and the deepest-analysed position in the history of chess.
The main line
The Sicilian Najdorf begins 5…a6. Here is the position after the opening moves, and the moves themselves — play through them on a board before you read the plans, because everything below refers back to this structure.
| 1. | e4 | c5 |
| 2. | Nf3 | d6 |
| 3. | d4 | cxd4 |
| 4. | Nxd4 | Nf6 |
| 5. | Nc3 | a6 |
The moves, one at a time
- White e4 — the most-played first move in chess — it opens lines for the queen and the light-squared bishop at once
- Black c5 — trades a wing pawn for a centre pawn and opens the c-file for the rook
- White Nf3 — develops toward the centre, controls e5 and d4, and prepares to castle
- Black d6 — a flexible move that supports e5 and keeps every option open
- White d4 — grabs a second central square and supports a knight coming to f3 or c3
- Black cxd4 — accepts the trade and leaves Black with a half-open c-file for the rest of the game
- White Nxd4 — recaptures with the knight, placing it on a strong central square
- Black Nf6 — develops and immediately attacks e4 — the most common second move for Black
- White Nc3 — brings the queen's knight to its natural square, covering e4 and d5
- Black a6 — quietly one of the deepest moves in opening theory — it takes b5 away from White's pieces
The idea in one paragraph
…a6 looks modest and is one of the most profound moves in opening theory. It takes b5 away from White's pieces, prepares queenside expansion, and makes …e5 possible without conceding the d5 square to a knight coming from b5.
The four plans that win games
These are not variations to memorise. They are the recurring plans — learn what you are trying to achieve and the moves become much easier to find.
…e5 gaining the initiative
The Najdorf's signature. It takes the d4 square from White's knight and stakes a claim in the centre. The cost is the d5 square — you must be ready to fight for it with …Be6 and …Nbd7.
Queenside expansion with …b5
…a6 exists to enable this. …b5, …Bb7 and …Nbd7 gives you the long diagonal and pressure on e4, which is the counterweight to White's kingside storm.
Poisoned Pawn if you like the edge
6.Bg5 e6 7.f4 Qb6 grabs b2 with the queen while White attacks. It is razor-sharp, completely sound, and requires real study.
Know which White setup you are facing before move six
English Attack, 6.Bg5, 6.Bc4, 6.Be2 and 6.h3 all need different treatment. The Najdorf is not one opening, it is five.
The pawn structure
A Scheveningen pawn structure with the extra move …a6, which stops Nb5 and prepares …b5 and …e5.
Structure outlasts everything else in the opening. Pieces get traded and plans change, but the pawns decide which squares exist and which do not — and that is what you are really choosing when you choose an opening.
Mistakes that lose games
The English Attack comes fast
Be3, f3, Qd2, 0-0-0 and g4 is a genuine race. If you are not already generating queenside play by move fifteen you are losing it.
Do not allow Nd5 for free
After …e5, the d5 square is White's target. …Be6 and …Nbd7 must come quickly, or a knight lands on d5 and you are simply worse.
The Bxb5 sacrifice is standard
In many lines White plays Bxb5 axb5 Ndxb5 hitting d6 and c7. Calculate it before you play …b5, every time.
A game worth studying
Kasparov's Najdorf games against Anand and Karpov — the opening at its absolute peak on both sides.
The other side of this opening
This page is written for the player playing the Sicilian Najdorf. For the opposite view — the plans, the traps and the structures from the other side of the board — read How to beat the Sicilian Najdorf.
Practise it on a live board
Reading an opening guide gets you about a third of the way. The rest comes from playing the structure until the plans are automatic. The Grandmaster Gains Academy has 197 interactive lessons and a full engine, and you can play the Sicilian Najdorf against it right now, free, in your browser.
Play the Sicilian Najdorf against the engine
Free, in the browser, no sign-up. Then have every move rated afterwards so you can see exactly where the plan went wrong.
♔ Play free nowRelated openings
- How to play the Sicilian Defense
- How to beat the Sicilian Defense
- How to play the Smith-Morra Gambit
- How to beat the Smith-Morra Gambit
- How to play the French Defense
- How to beat the French Defense
Teaching this opening?
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Common questions
Is the Sicilian Najdorf good for beginners?
It is good for anyone willing to learn its plans rather than its moves. …a6 looks modest and is one of the most profound moves in opening theory The plans on this page are the same at 800 rating and at 2400 — only the accuracy changes..
What is the main idea of the Sicilian Najdorf?
…a6 looks modest and is one of the most profound moves in opening theory. It takes b5 away from White's pieces, prepares queenside expansion, and makes …e5 possible without conceding the d5 square to a knight coming from b5.
What is the most common mistake in the Sicilian Najdorf?
The English Attack comes fast. Be3, f3, Qd2, 0-0-0 and g4 is a genuine race. If you are not already generating queenside play by move fifteen you are losing it.
How much theory do I need to play the Sicilian Najdorf?
Less than you think, provided you learn the structure instead of the moves. Start with the main line on this page and the first of the four plans — …e5 gaining the initiative. That is enough to play the opening reasonably from your very next game.