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How to Play Najdorf Sicilian?

How to Play Najdorf Sicilian?

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FM Gertsog
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Dear Chess Friends!

Najdorf Variation is one of the most frequently used lines in Sicilian Defense. This opening became popular after a huge number of strong GMs started playing it successfully. Bobby Fischer and Garry Kasparov were among them. Najdorf is also popular nowadays – Carlsen, Grishchuk, Ding Liren, Vachier-Lagrave and Aronian play it regularly.

Why do chess players like this opening? Well, there are several reasons. First of all, it’s a complex opening which offers good winning chances for both sides. Secondly, according to the main theory Black is able to equalize the position in Najdorf Variation, but it doesn’t mean that they can’t lose the game.

Najdorf is a well-studied opening. You can find tons of videos, courses and books devoted to the exact move order of this variation. That’s why, I can’t explain all the theory in this short video, but at least I will explain typical plans for both sides: White & Black. This how you will learn what plans to apply and what to expect from your opponent after you played 10-15 moves according to the theory.

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Najdorf is either one of these two pawn structures and the pawn structure defines the plan.

1) White Plan: A passed on the Queenside

2) Black Plan: Good Bishop vs Bad Bishop
3) White Plan: The control over the d5-square
4) Black Plan: A Breakout in the Center

In this video you learned typical plans which you should follow in Najdorf Variation. I’m sure now you understand such positions better and can implement your new knowledge in your own games and score more points within this variation.

Thank you for watching and make sure to like this video, subscribe to my Youtube channel and share it with your friends - chess players, so they can learn How to Play in Najdorf Sicilian. If you know any other typical ideas and plans to apply in Najdorf, please, share it into the comment section below this video.

Best Regards,
FM Viktor Neustroev

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Viktor Neustroev
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My name is Victor Neustroev. I'm a FIDE Master with Elo rating 2305.


Experienced chess coach specializing in tactics and openings. An author of educational chess courses on different learning platforms.

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I'm 34. I live in Russia, Novosibirsk. I learned to play chess when I was 5. I regularly won prizes at Novosibirsk region Championship and Siberia Chess Championship among juniors. I'm a champion of Novosibirsk City Chess Club at 2002 and a champion of Novosibirsk at 2019.


I got Master's Degree in Economics at Novosibirsk State University and also played for its chess team.


Today I am focusing on teaching chess online and offline. The reason why I do this is because I feel happy when see how my students achieve success.

 

I teach juniors since 2002. Almost all of my students were ranked. Some of them got prizes at Novosibirsk region Championship.
I also work with adults.

 

I will teach you how to find tactical strikes in certain position types and how to classify them. I can help you to improve you calculational ability. I also teach you chess openings and I believe you know how important they are. According to the statistics right-playing of the opening makes from 30 to 60% of your success (the exact number depends on your level).
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