Chess Openings Lab
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Sicilian Defense: Najdorf Variation, Lipnitsky Attack

The Lipnitsky Attack is 6.Bc4, aiming the bishop at e6 and f7 along the a2-g8 diagonal. White hopes for pressure against Black's center, while Black answers with ...e6 to blunt the bishop and plans ...b5 to kick it.

Moves
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.Bc4
ECO
B90
Engine
+0.11 · level (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
Played
1,479 games in our lichess sample
White scores
47.7%

Key ideas for both sides

White

  • Retreat Bb3 after ...e6 to keep the bishop safe from ...b5 attacks.
  • Play Be3 and Qe2 or a3, then castle and push f4 for central play.
  • Use g4 and g5 in some lines to attack the f6 knight.
  • Against an immediate ...b5, Bd5 invites ...Nxd5, and after exd5 White gets a space-gaining pawn on d5.

Black

  • 6...e6 closes the diagonal and prepares ...b5 to gain time.
  • ...b5 kicks the bishop and develops queenside space.
  • ...Be7 and castling keep the king safe before White's f4 push.
  • Use ...Qc7 and ...Nbd7 to support ...b5 and the center.

Plans and pawn structure

White's bishop on c4 aims at e6 and f7, so Black usually answers with ...e6 to blunt it. White then retreats to b3 and plays Be3, Qe2 or a3, castling either side. Black's plans are ...b5, a bishop on b7 and ...Nbd7, pressuring e4 and the queenside. If White pushes f4 and e5, the center opens and the bishop on b3 can become strong. If Black gets ...b5 and ...b4 in, White's knights lose central squares.

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 +0.11: level. Its three top choices for Black:

  1. +0.11 6...e6 7.Bb3 b5 8.Be3 Be7 9.a3
  2. +0.29 6...b5 7.Bd5 Nxd5 8.exd5 g6 9.Bg5
  3. +0.34 6...Qc7 7.Bb3 e6 8.g4 b5 9.g5

Pawns, from White's side.

How it scores on lichess

1,479 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 47.7%.

1200–159946.3%
1600–199944.7%
2000 and up51.3%

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

Where it goes next

  • Sozin Attack, Flank Variation6...e6 · rare

How to play against it

As Black, play 6...e6 and prepare ...b5. Avoid allowing White to land a bishop on d5 for free. Keep the king safe with ...Be7 and castling before the center opens.

Questions

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

The Sicilian Defense: Najdorf Variation, Lipnitsky Attack starts 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.Bc4. Its ECO code is B90.

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

Stockfish 17.1 rates the position +0.11 at depth 20, which is level. In 1,479 lichess games from our sample, White scored 47.7%. A sharp line for White players who like direct pressure, while Black must know the ...e6 and ...b5 ideas.

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

White puts the bishop on c4 to pressure e6 and f7. Black closes the diagonal with ...e6 and gains time with ...b5.

What should Black play next?

The engine's first choice is e6, with b5 and Qc7 close behind. 6...e6 blocks the diagonal and prepares ...b5 to kick the bishop.

Updated October 2026. Sources and method.