Spraggett - Vallejo In the Not So Benign B99 Najdorf

A reader sent me the following request: “In the Najdorf … after 6.Bg5 … 15...Bf8 … we have lots of moves like Qh5 and Rg1.… If you could give me some variations to help in my study, or make an article on this opening!”
The opening in question is the Pawn Attack in the Najdorf Variation of the Sicilian Defense. After examining a few hundred games, I decided to write an article showing many alternatives, but focusing on the 16.Rg1 line. The entire variation is not for players avoiding risk. Those trying it possess a wide variety of ratings. The notes will show the basic ideas and expose how either side can, and already has, gone wrong.
In order to illustrate the variation, I selected a game played by two grandmasters. Playing the second move is Francisco Vallejo Pons. He was born August 21, 1982 in Es Castell, Minorca, Spain. He became a grandmaster at the age of 16 years and 9 months. Vallejo won the World Youth Championship U-18 in 2000. His opponent is Kevin Spraggett who was born November 10, 1954 in Montreal, Canada. He became an international master at the Canadian Championship, which was a Zonal Tournament, in Calgary in 1975. At the Taxco Interzonal in 1985, he earned the grandmaster title. He qualified as a candidate in 1985 and in 1988.

Vallejo is shown in the picture as players often look when playing this line.