ECO B98 · Sicilian Defense

Sicilian Defense: Najdorf Variation, Traditional Line

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Bg5 e6 7. f4 Be7 8. Qf3 Qc7

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

9. f5+0.40

White is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Sicilian Defense: Najdorf Variation, Traditional Line (B98), reached after 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Bg5 e6 7. f4 Be7 8. Qf3 Qc7, Stockfish 18 recommends 9. f5 for White. White is slightly better (+0.40).

Top engine moves

  1. +0.409. f5 h6 10. Bh4 Nc6 11. Nxc6 bxc6 12. O-O-O exf5 13. exf5 O-O
  2. +0.359. O-O-O Nbd7 10. Bd3 b5 11. Rhe1 Bb7 12. a3 Qb6 13. Nb3 h6
  3. +0.289. Bd3 Nbd7 10. O-O-O b5 11. Rhe1 Bb7 12. a3 Qb6 13. Nb3 h6

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Sicilian Defense: Najdorf Variation, Traditional Line?
After 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Bg5 e6 7. f4 Be7 8. Qf3 Qc7, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 9. f5 for White, continuing h6 10. Bh4 Nc6 11. Nxc6 bxc6 12. O-O-O exf5 13. exf5 O-O. White is slightly better (+0.40). The next best moves are 9. O-O-O (+0.35) and 9. Bd3 (+0.28).
Is the Sicilian Defense: Najdorf Variation, Traditional Line a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.40: 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, Traditional Line?
B98. 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+).