Sicilian Defense: Najdorf Variation, Polugaevsky Variation
1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Bg5 e6 7. f4 b5
8. e5+0.44
White is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.
Analyze this positionIn the Sicilian Defense: Najdorf Variation, Polugaevsky Variation (B96), reached after 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Bg5 e6 7. f4 b5, Stockfish 18 recommends 8. e5 for White. White is slightly better (+0.44).
Top engine moves
- +0.448. e5 dxe5 9. fxe5 Qc7 10. Qe2 Nfd7 11. O-O-O Nc6 12. Nxc6 Qxc6
- +0.418. Qf3 Bb7 9. f5 e5 10. Bxf6 Qxf6 11. Nb3 b4 12. Nd5 Bxd5
- +0.238. Be2 Be7 9. Bf3 Ra7 10. Qd3 Qc7 11. O-O-O O-O 12. Kb1 Bb7
Variations
Frequently asked questions
What is the best move in the Sicilian Defense: Najdorf Variation, Polugaevsky Variation?
After 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Bg5 e6 7. f4 b5, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 8. e5 for White, continuing dxe5 9. fxe5 Qc7 10. Qe2 Nfd7 11. O-O-O Nc6 12. Nxc6 Qxc6. White is slightly better (+0.44). The next best moves are 8. Qf3 (+0.41) and 8. Be2 (+0.23).
Is the Sicilian Defense: Najdorf Variation, Polugaevsky Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.44: 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, Polugaevsky Variation?
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+).