[Event "Mastering the Najdorf: Initial Position"] [Site "https://lichess.org/study/iMl0Hn1x/JDnPde54"] [Result "*"] [Variant "Standard"] [ECO "B90"] [Opening "Sicilian Defense: Najdorf Variation"] [Annotator "https://lichess.org/@/RandomBean"] [UTCDate "2016.05.27"] [UTCTime "03:47:58"] [Source "https://lichess.org/study/iMl0Hn1x/JDnPde54"] [Orientation "white"] 1. e4 { This will be a brief introduction to the Najdorf. } 1... c5 { Controlling d4 with a flank pawn. Why is this important? Cause central pawns are more valuable than flank pawns as they control the center. } { [%csl Rd4][%cal Gc5d4] } 2. Nf3 { Preparing d4. Opening the position and giving great scope to his bishops. The premature d4 wouldnt give problems to black. } { [%cal Gd2d4,Gf1a6,Gc1h6] } (2. d4 cxd4 3. Qxd4 Nc6 $10 { This is equal if not better for black. }) 2... d6 { Controlling e5. Why is this important? So we can play Nf6 later on without getting kicked. } { [%csl Re5][%cal Ge4e5,Gd6e5] } 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 { [%cal Gb8c6,Ga7a6,Gg8f6,Gg7g6,Gd8c7,Ge7e5,Ge7e6] } 4... Nf6 { Black had other options but Nf6 is the main move. Virtually forcing white to play Nc3, blocking his c pawn, therefore disallowing him to play c4 (Maroczy Bind) controlling d5 and gaining space. It was thought as bad for black in the 1920-1930s but black has proved well against it. Anyways, other than forcing Nc3, we need to also develop our pieces! } 5. Nc3 a6 { Characterizing move of the Najdorf. The actual idea of this move is to play e5!!! If e5 before a6 white gets Bb5+ which would force the Bishop's exchange weakining d5 or allowing a piece to come to f5. Now we reach the initial position of the Najdorf. White has several approaches: Bg5, Be2, Bc4, Be3, h3 and even Rg1!? which we will see in next chapters. } (5... e5? 6. Bb5+ Nbd7 (6... Bd7 7. Bxd7+ Qxd7 { [%csl Rd5][%cal Gc3d5,Gc1g5,Gg5f6,Gd4b3,Gb3d2,Gd2f1,Gf1e3,Ge3d5] }) 7. Nf5) *