Chess openings / Sicilian Defense

Sicilian Defense: Najdorf Variation, Neo-Classical Defense

Sicilian Defense: Najdorf Variation, Neo-Classical Defense (B96) starts 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.Bg5 e6 7.f4 Nc6. In 62 games between strong players, White wins 49%, 7% are drawn and Black wins 44%; the most played move is 8.Qd2 (37%).

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1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.Bg5 e6 7.f4 Nc6

ECO
B96
Games between strong players
62
To move
White
49%44%

White wins, draws and Black wins, from this position.

What strong players play next

The moves played most from this position in over-the-board broadcasts and the Lichess Elite Database, how often, and how the games ended.

MovePlayedResultsLeads to
8.Qd237% (23)30%61%–
8.Nxc636% (22)73%22%–
8.Nb310% (6)50%50%–
8.Qd38% (5)40%60%–
8.e55% (3)33%33%34%–

Where it comes from and where it goes

Branches from Sicilian Defense: Najdorf Variation 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6

More Sicilian Defense lines

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