In the Sicilian Defense 1.e4 c5, the continuation 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 is known as the Najdorf Variation [ECO B9x]. The opening is named after Miguel Najdorf (1910-1997), a world top-10 player who reached his peak in the 1940s and 50s.
Black's last move is somewhat paradoxical. Although White is ahead in development with an advantage in space, Black plays a move which ignores development. The strength of 5...a6 is that it renders the b5 square inaccessible to White's Bishop and Knights. It also prepares ...b5 and, somewhat surprisingly, ...e5. White's continuations can be split into two broad categories: moves that prevent ...e5 and moves that allow ...e5.
Two popular variations that prevent 6...e5 are:-
- 6.Bg5 e6 [B94-99]
- 6.Bc4 e6 [B86-87]
Two popular variations that leave Black the choice between 6...e5 and 6...e6 are:-
- 6.Be2 [B92]
- 6.Be3 [B90]
Unusual variations are
- 6.f4 [B93]
- 6.g3 [B91]
The variations with 6...e6 often transpose into the Scheveningen Variation (5...e6 instead of 5...a6).
