How to Play the Sicilian Najdorf Chess Opening

The Najdorf Variation of the Sicilian Defense in chess is definitely one of the most popular of the many variations of the Sicilian Defense. The initial moves of 1. e4 c5 denotes the Sicilian Defense, but the game can go absolutely anywhere from there.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Play pawn to c5 when white plays 1. e4. This is a sharp counter, because it fights for control of the important d4 square, and white will battle for it.

2. Play pawn to d6 when white plays Nf3. This move supports the black c pawn and also prepares development of the white bishop on the c8 square.

3. Exchange center pawns when white plays pawn to d4, the most popular opening move at this stage of a Sicilian setup. This gives black an open file and also forces white to move a piece twice in the opening, which is desirable.

4. Play knight to f6 after white takes the d pawn back with his own knight. This move attacks the e pawn and develops a piece, out of the way of the king's castling path.

5. Play pawn to a6 when white plays its knight to c3, protecting the e pawn. This prevents one of those pesky knights from moving into the b5 square and possibly causing major problems for black.

Tips & Warnings

• To keep with the Najdorf theme, play e5 at some point, developing the black bishop to the e7 square.
• To transpose to the Sicilian Dragon variation, play g6 followed by bishop to g7.

[bobhelix]

on 7/27/2009 Being able to reach the Najdorf Variation doesn't mean you can play it - there is still a lot of strategy which should have been discussed.