Najdorf Novelty

Hi,

I was reviewing my Najdrof lines today and a random question came to mind. In the position reached after:

Is there a reason why White can't play e5 right away? The chess.com masters database has no games in this line (which includes Titled Tuesday), and Chessbase only has a few, from club level players. 

I suppose the assumption is that e5 is way too premature as white hasn't castled, and it goes against the main idea of thrusting kingside pawns while keeping an eye on the center. e5 is often a good idea later. However, I don't think it's so bad right away. For example, the computer proposes this as the best line: 

As far as I can tell, the move cannot be totally refuted, and white still has a slight advantage in most cases, with a lot of tricky lines. 

So, how should black handle this?  And if the move is not utterly insane, do you think this would be a good idea to play as a surprise weapon from the white side? Your thoughts?

Thanks, 

PandasPlayChess

As a surprise weapon this could be good, although in my opinion it's not a great main move because although white has compensation for the pawn in that line I don't see why giving away a pawn is necessary. However if you like the position you get then go ahead

It certainly seems to be playable. I think most players with the black pieces would play 14...O-O first, and after 15.Nb6, then Ra7. But I don't know that that move order makes any difference. Also interesting for black is 12...Qh4+ (instead of Qxe5+) 13.g3 Qe4+ 14.Kf2 O-O (14...Qxh1? 15.Nc7+ leads to mate) 15.Bg2 Qc4.

You don't want to play e5 there because it loses a tempo in development.
Also, b5 with Bb7 is better.

Now on this topic, we actually found a novelty in the Najdorf today.
According to the Chess365 databases, this line has never been played before. And the position is balanced according to Stockfish. These are all among the best moves. It creates a very intense situation with active piece play.

Check out what I call the Exchange Variation in the Najdorf:

What a dumb thread.

A computer isn't an all-seeing entity that can tell you the exact "value" of a position. Humans are actually playing it, not a computer.

Even then, Stockfish is giving a -0.04 for whether black castles or finds the trickier move Ra7.

In human terms White is a pawn down and even according to the computer has thrown away the opening advantage.

8.e5 is playable, but ... it resolves the tension in the position right away, which gives Black a much easier time (compared to the mainline).

I'd say the strongest lines keep things undefined, forcing Black to come up with answers for tense positions that aren't yet clear, where the threat of tactics still looms.

This line (a quick e4-e5) doesn't pose any such questions to Black - it defines the position right away, removing any ambiguity, and forces Black to respond to simple 1-move threats only.

As Black, I'd say, "Thanks, White! You made things easier for me. Phew."

2 months later Rauf Mamedov played this line and defeated 2689 Nils Grandelius in the 2023 FIDE Grand Swiss. He regained the pawn smoothly and white converted a comfortable endgame. There also must’ve been a large surprise factor.

JSbakslsjsr. Xjr

@1
It is certainly playable, but not very relevant as the preferred black move is now 7...Qb6.

@4
This is not only excentric, but bad. 6 Nf5 e6 and now what? Back 7 Nd4 then black has gained 2 tempi.