Chess Openings Lab
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Sicilian Defense: Najdorf Variation, Adams Attack

The Adams Attack is 6.h3, a quiet-looking pawn move that prepares g4 to chase the f6 knight. White grabs kingside space without committing a bishop, while Black can answer with ...e5, ...e6 or ...h6 to slow the g4 push.

Moves
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.h3
ECO
B90
Engine
+0.24 · level (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
Played
468 games in our lichess sample
White scores
49.4%

Key ideas for both sides

White

  • Push g4 and g5 to kick the f6 knight and gain kingside space.
  • Against ...e5, Nb3 and Be3 with Qd3 or Qf3 keep pressure on d5.
  • Bg2 supports e4 and the long diagonal after g4.
  • f4 later adds force to the kingside push once the bishops are developed.

Black

  • 6...e5 kicks the d4 knight and fights for the center, the engine's top choice.
  • ...e6 with ...d5 hits back at the center when White plays g4 too soon.
  • ...h6 slows g5 and keeps the f6 knight stable for a few moves.
  • Use ...Be6 and ...Nbd7 to control d5 after White's knight retreats.

Plans and pawn structure

White's h3 prepares g4 and a direct kingside push, often with Bg2 and f4. Black's best plans are central: ...e5 to gain space and fight for d5, or ...e6 and ...d5 when White has spent time on the kingside. White wants to use the d5 square and kingside space, while Black aims for queenside play with ...b5 and pieces aimed at e4. The game often turns on whether White's g4 push or Black's central break arrives first.

Where the engine's main line heads: Open Sicilian with ...e5: a hole on d5, a backward d6 pawn. An Open Sicilian with ...e5: Black has the center but leaves a hole on d5 and a backward pawn on d6.

What the engine plays from here

Stockfish 17.1 at depth 20 rates the position +0.24: level. Its three top choices for Black:

  1. +0.24 6...e5 7.Nb3 Be6 8.Be3 Nbd7 9.g4
  2. +0.34 6...e6 7.g4 d5 8.Nde2 Nxe4 9.Nxe4
  3. +0.45 6...h6 7.g4 e6 8.Bg2 Nc6 9.Be3

Pawns, from White's side.

How it scores on lichess

468 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 49.4%.

1600–199949.3%
2000 and up50.7%

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

How to play against it

As Black, play 6...e5 and fight for the center, or ...e6 with ...d5 if White rushes g4. Avoid passive moves that let White push g5 and take over the kingside.

Questions

What are the moves of the Sicilian Defense: Najdorf Variation, Adams Attack?

The Sicilian Defense: Najdorf Variation, Adams Attack starts 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.h3. Its ECO code is B90.

Is the Sicilian Defense: Najdorf Variation, Adams Attack good for White?

Stockfish 17.1 rates the position +0.24 at depth 20, which is level. In 468 lichess games from our sample, White scored 49.4%. A flexible and tricky line for White players who like kingside space, while Black must hit the center quickly.

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

White prepares g4 with h3 to gain kingside space and kick the f6 knight. Black answers with ...e5, ...e6 or ...h6 and aims for central counterplay.

What should Black play next?

The engine's first choice is e5, with e6 and h6 close behind. 6...e5 kicks the knight and claims central space before White's g4 push.

Updated October 2026. Sources and method.