ECO B96 · Sicilian Defense

Sicilian Defense: Najdorf Variation, Neo-Classical Defense

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

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White to move. The arrow shows Stockfish’s best move.
Best move

8. Nxc6+0.64

White is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Sicilian Defense: Najdorf Variation, Neo-Classical Defense (B96), reached after 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Bg5 e6 7. f4 Nc6, Stockfish 18 recommends 8. Nxc6 for White. White is slightly better (+0.64).

Top engine moves

  1. +0.648. Nxc6 bxc6 9. e5 h6 10. Bh4 g5 11. fxg5 Nd5 12. Ne4 Qb6
  2. +0.538. e5 dxe5 9. Nxc6 Qxd1+ 10. Rxd1 bxc6 11. fxe5 Nd5 12. Ne4 Be7
  3. +0.338. Qd3 h6 9. Bh4 Qb6 10. Bxf6 gxf6 11. Nb3 Bd7 12. O-O-O O-O-O

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Sicilian Defense: Najdorf Variation, Neo-Classical Defense?
After 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Bg5 e6 7. f4 Nc6, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 8. Nxc6 for White, continuing bxc6 9. e5 h6 10. Bh4 g5 11. fxg5 Nd5 12. Ne4 Qb6. White is slightly better (+0.64). The next best moves are 8. e5 (+0.53) and 8. Qd3 (+0.33).
Is the Sicilian Defense: Najdorf Variation, Neo-Classical Defense a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.64: white 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, Neo-Classical Defense?
B96. 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+).