Sicilian Defence (Black) A question

Boogalicious, it's rather hard to "explain" a position which is tactics, tactics, and more tactics, and which has been played (according to my database) at least 1794 times before. Black has a pawn, but his king is still in the center, and white's pieces are menacing. Just open a database- I can only suggest you a few "model games" to analyze more carefully.

I prefer the modern treatment of the Najdorf against 6.Bg5, namely 6...Nbd7 with something like a direct ...e5 in mind, or alternatively a delayed ...Qb6.

I just added these thought to my repertoire - thank you, it's very interesting.

IM pfren Thank you, I'll certainly do my homework. Appreciate the comments. 

The best source to check this 6...Nbd7 variation is Ftacnik's book at Quality Chess. The problem is that the book is fairly recent, but the analyses in it must be already considered as rather outdated.

Thank you for that, I'll add it to my collection of thousands of other chess books to read/analyze haha 

@EricSlusser, in regards to your first great interactive diagram... Interestingly (and this may be painfully obvious to you all, so bear with me my slow reasoning) your 9. Nf5 works great for the Najdorf line, but if Black chose the 5... Nc6, instead of 5... a3, 9. Nb5 guarantees a pretty sweet fork, if I'm not mistaken. What ya think? Best. 

if: 10...Qa5 11. b4  (?) 

Boogalicious wrote:

Hey guys, I'd really like to know why better players choose to play e6 in this well-known opening. Does it guard against something I'm not seeing? 

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Read the whole thread. Very interesting to see that there are so many members here that have so much theoretical and technical knowledge of the Sicilian Najdorf.

I noticed that your question is why stronger players prefer 6...e6 to 6...e5. The answer is that Black enjoys a 2 vs. 1 pawn majority in the center. That fact in combination with Black's pawn formation d6, e6, f7 is an alternate castled position in the center for the Black K. It is a bulwark of defense as has been shown in many games. In addition 6...e6 preserves a duo formation in combination with the pawn at d6. Preserving that formation together with the 2vs.1 majority that Black has in the center is an enduring advantage that many times comes to fruition in the endgame.

Very interesting diagram. How is that done?

What type of theory have you temporarily given up the practical for?

I've been previously playing e5 to gain center control, drive the White Knight back to b3 and free my c-bishop, which I wouldn't be able to with the passive e6. 

-- Appreciate all and any information on this puzzling subject. Thank you :) --

Too confusing to follow.  Please post entire sequences of moves.  In this position you posted, Black is in trouble, but this is not reachable from anything Eric was talking about.