Sicilian Defense: Najdorf Variation, Poisoned Pawn Variation
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Bg5 e6 7. f4 Qb6
8. Nb3+0.18
The position is roughly equal. Stockfish 18, depth 18.
Analyze this positionIn the Sicilian Defense: Najdorf Variation, Poisoned Pawn Variation (B97), reached after 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Bg5 e6 7. f4 Qb6, Stockfish 18 recommends 8. Nb3 for White. The position is roughly equal (+0.18).
Top engine moves
- +0.188. Nb3 Be7 9. Qd2 Nbd7 10. O-O-O Qc7 11. Bxf6 Nxf6 12. g4 b5
- +0.118. Qd2 Qxb2 9. Rb1 Qa3 10. f5 Nc6 11. fxe6 fxe6 12. Nxc6 bxc6
- +0.088. a3 Nbd7 9. Nb3 Be7 10. Qf3 Qc7 11. Bh4 Nxe4 12. Bxe7 Nxc3
Frequently asked questions
What is the best move in the Sicilian Defense: Najdorf Variation, Poisoned Pawn Variation?
After 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Bg5 e6 7. f4 Qb6, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 8. Nb3 for White, continuing Be7 9. Qd2 Nbd7 10. O-O-O Qc7 11. Bxf6 Nxf6 12. g4 b5. The position is roughly equal (+0.18). The next best moves are 8. Qd2 (+0.11) and 8. a3 (+0.08).
Is the Sicilian Defense: Najdorf Variation, Poisoned Pawn Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.18: the position is roughly equal. 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, Poisoned Pawn Variation?
B97. 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+).