The Najdorf arises in the Sicilian after 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 (ECO B90). The modest 5...a6 is the line's calling card: Black takes the b5 square away from White's pieces and prepares a set-up with ...e5 or ...e6 and play on the queenside.
The Najdorf is the most deeply studied and most popular Sicilian line at the top level. It leads to a sharp, dense struggle with a wide choice of plans for both sides, from direct attacks to fine manoeuvring.
It was the main weapon of Fischer and Kasparov and is still played by the very best. Behind the modest 5...a6 lies one of the most complex and principled opening arguments in chess.
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