Sicilian Defense: Najdorf Variation, Ivkov Variation
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Bg5 Nbd7 7. Bc4 Qa5 8. Qd2 e6 9. O-O-O b5 10. Bb3 Bb7 11. Rhe1 Nc5 12. e5
12… dxe5−0.33
Black is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.
Analyze this positionIn the Sicilian Defense: Najdorf Variation, Ivkov Variation (B94), reached after 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Bg5 Nbd7 7. Bc4 Qa5 8. Qd2 e6 9. O-O-O b5 10. Bb3 Bb7 11. Rhe1 Nc5 12. e5, Stockfish 18 recommends 12… dxe5 for Black. Black is slightly better (−0.33).
Top engine moves
- −0.3312… dxe5 13. Bxe6 fxe6 14. Nxe6 Nxe6 15. Bxf6 Bc6 16. Rxe5 Kf7 17. Bh4
- +0.2312… b4 13. exf6 bxc3 14. Qf4 O-O-O 15. fxg7 Bxg7 16. Bxd8 Rxd8 17. Kb1
- +2.4312… Nfd7 13. exd6 h6 14. Bh4 Rc8 15. Qe2 Nxb3+ 16. Nxb3 Qb6 17. Bg3
Frequently asked questions
What is the best move in the Sicilian Defense: Najdorf Variation, Ivkov Variation?
After 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Bg5 Nbd7 7. Bc4 Qa5 8. Qd2 e6 9. O-O-O b5 10. Bb3 Bb7 11. Rhe1 Nc5 12. e5, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 12… dxe5 for Black, continuing 13. Bxe6 fxe6 14. Nxe6 Nxe6 15. Bxf6 Bc6 16. Rxe5 Kf7 17. Bh4. Black is slightly better (−0.33). The next best moves are 12… b4 (+0.23) and 12… Nfd7 (+2.43).
Is the Sicilian Defense: Najdorf Variation, Ivkov Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at −0.33: black is slightly better. Evaluations this early in the game are small, so practical results depend far more on knowing the plans and typical structures than on the engine's number.
What is the ECO code of the Sicilian Defense: Najdorf Variation, Ivkov Variation?
B94. ECO codes classify chess openings from A00 to E99; B is the volume for semi-open games (other than the French).
Opening names from the Lichess opening book (CC0). Pieces by Colin M.L. Burnett (GPLv2+).