Najdorf Suggestions?

That's the variation that hasn't worked for me. I've tried it against the Najdorf only because I often play Bc4 in the Yugoslav Attack against the Dragon. I've found it not so useful a move against the Najdorf, and I attribute that to black's having played a6 first in the Najdorf (so b5 comes easy and is logical even without the target on c4) where in the Dragon he hasn't.

So with Bc4 in the Najdorf, its just a tempo gaining target for a move black wants to play anyway. Plus, if black transposes into a Schevingen then the B is biting on lead.

But on e2, even though it appears "quieter," black has no target and the B supports the Kside pawn storm from its post on e2 in the Opocensky variation.

Even though I've only had enough time to skim some games for an overview of the Opocensky variation, I like what I see.

I may do that once I figure out how to add a diagram on here and when I have time. It's been a while, but Short used 6) Bc4 against Kasparov in their 1993 match and the move caused the super GM a lot of headaches according to the chess press.

chesspooljuly13 wrote:

scandium, if you're looking for a book that covers it, there's a new one by Taylor called 'Slay the Sicilian' that came out this year.

There's a sample on the publisher's website.

Also if I'm not mistaken, one of the Beating the Sicilian editions by Nunn and Burgess covered it. That book is pretty outdated though.

The bishop isn't biting on lead for long because the plan that typically follows 6) Bc4 involves pushing the f-pawn to attack the black pawn on e6. But, as Fischer once said, "It's the player, not the variation," meaning the preparedness and strength of a player overrides the importance of the variation. Fischer was a Najdorf fanatic when he had black, so, if he judged 6) Bc4 to be the preferred move when playing against it, that's good enough for me. I've had good success with it, but to each his own

...b5 that early just drives the bishop to a square it was going to anyway. Better to concentrate on development at that stage

Thanks for the heads up on that, I'll check it out (I'm in the process of rebuilding my chess library, so good book suggestions are always welcome).

Trouble with the Najdorf in general. So much theory to learn !

Bc4 = :) for white lol

Yawn... Pardon me ! Tiredness !!

b5 (which need not be played immediately) is often part of black's development plan anyway: it not only grabs space on the queenside, but it frees b7 to post his light colour bishop there (which is especially appealing if he transposes into a Scheveningen, since it would be shut in otherwise).

With white's light square B on c4, b5 just comes with tempo so no time is lost as the move spent moving the pawn there is cancelled out by the bishops retreat to b3.

Be3 or Be2 probably your 2 best choices Scandium.

Bottom line, imo, is no one variation is better than another. If it were, the other variations wouldn't be played. Best to examine the general plans that arise from each variation and choose the one that suits your playing style and preference. I've always felt comfortable with my bishop on the diagonal leading to square f7 but that doesn't mean everyone does. Fischer favored 6) Bc4, but my memory is that Tal did not (I think Tal favored Bg5 but could be wrong.)

It all comes down to personal preference based on the plans and positions that typically result from each variation. It's like arguing what's better - an apple or a banana? It's personal preference. 6) Bc4 is definitely playable but it may not suit you or others.

3.Nc3 is good for avoiding the Najdorf.  If Black plays 3...d6, you play a closed Sicilian.  If Black plays something else, you play 3.Nge2 and 4.d4 transposing to the open Sicilian.  The cat and mouse can go awhile longer, but at some point Black has to commit himself and White can either play an Open or closed Sicilian.

This forces black to give up castling and nets two pawns for a piece, which I think is enough compensation, given the problems black encounters down the road.

Move order is important, but I haven't delved deeply enough into the Najdorf (I play the Sveshnikov) to determine why 6) ...e6 is preferred over 6) ...b5.