Chess Openings Lab
a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1

Sicilian Defense: Najdorf Variation

The Najdorf Variation is 5...a6, a small pawn move that takes b5 from White's knights and bishop. Black keeps the choice between ...e5 and ...e6 and prepares ...b5, while White picks an attacking system such as Bg5, Be3 or h3 and g4.

Moves
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6
ECO
B90, B94, B95, B96, B98
Engine
+0.29 · level (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
Played
10,432 games in our lichess sample
White scores
50.1%

Key ideas for both sides

White

  • 6.Bg5 with f4 next aims for e5 or f5 pushes against Black's king and center.
  • 6.Be3 with f3, Qd2 and long castling sets up a g4 and g5 pawn storm.
  • 6.h3 and g4 grab kingside space at once, kicking the f6 knight.
  • Use Nd5 jumps whenever Black plays ...e5, since that square is often weak.

Black

  • Choose ...e5 to gain space and kick the d4 knight, or ...e6 for a flexible Scheveningen center.
  • Expand with ...b5 and then put the light-squared bishop on b7, hitting e4 and gaining queenside space.
  • Develop the queen to c7 or b6 and the knight to d7 or c6 depending on White's setup.
  • In Be3 lines, ...Be6 and ...Nbd7 fight for d5 and the e5 square.

Plans and pawn structure

The ...a6 move keeps all options open. White's plans depend on the system chosen: Bg5 and f4 for central pushes, Be3 with f3 and long castling for a pawn storm, or h3 and g4 for direct kingside space. Black's plans include ...b5 and a bishop on b7, ...e5 to claim the center, or ...e6 and ...Be7 for solid development. Opposite-side castling often leads to races where speed matters more than material.

Where the engine's main line heads: Scheveningen small center: Black pawns d6 and e6. The Scheveningen small center: Black pawns on d6 and e6 cover the central squares and wait for the right moment to break with ...d5 or ...e5.

What the engine plays from here

Stockfish 17.1 at depth 20 rates the position +0.29: level. Its three top choices for White:

  1. +0.29 6.Bg5 e6 7.f4 h6 8.Bh4 Qb6
  2. +0.27 6.h3 e6 7.g4 d5 8.Bg2 Nxe4
  3. +0.26 6.Be3 e5 7.Nb3 Be6 8.h3 Nbd7

Pawns, from White's side.

How it scores on lichess

10,432 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 50.1%.

under 120043.7%
1200–159946.1%
1600–199949.9%
2000 and up51.0%

Light: White wins. Grey: draws. Dark: Black wins. About the sample.

Where it goes next

How to play against it

As White, pick one system and learn its key ideas, since loose moves let Black play ...b5 and ...e5 for free. Avoid early queen trades or slow setups that give Black easy development.

Other lines with this name

The lichess opening list also files these lines under the same name, though they reach a different position: 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.Bg5; 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.Bg5 e6; 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.Bg5 e6 7.f4.

Questions

What are the moves of the Sicilian Defense: Najdorf Variation?

The Sicilian Defense: Najdorf Variation starts 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6. Its ECO code is B90, B94, B95, B96, B98.

Is the Sicilian Defense: Najdorf Variation good for Black?

Stockfish 17.1 rates the position +0.29 at depth 20, which is level. In 10,432 lichess games from our sample, White scored 50.1%. A rich, theory-heavy choice for Black players who enjoy complex fights, while White players must know their chosen attacking system.

What is the main idea of the Sicilian Defense: Najdorf Variation?

Black plays ...a6 to keep White's pieces off b5 and to prepare ...b5 and flexible central play. White chooses an attacking system, and the game often becomes a race between attacks on opposite wings.

What should White play next?

The engine's first choice is Bg5, with h3 and Be3 close behind. 6.Bg5 pins the f6 knight and prepares f4, adding pressure on Black's center.

Updated October 2026. Sources and method.