Move 6. for White in the Sicilian Najdorf - Bg5, Be3, Be2, or Bc4?
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lukecopeland21
2 days ago
0
#1
I’m working on some basic Najdorf theory, and it appears that move 6 is the first major decision point for White. What do you play, and why?
Be2 is mainly positional, Bc4 and Bg5 are very complicated tactical messes - Bg5 has probably the biggest body of theory of the entire chess realm. Be3 is in between - an interesting topic is whether Black can completely avoid the normal English Attack lines and keep a decent position.
But there are many more moves that have seriously been tried, some quite interesting : 6. h3, 6. Bd3, 6. f3, 6. g3, 6. a4, 6. f4, even 6. Rg1 and 6. Nb3 are not without point.
1 day ago
0
#3
Wow! That’s an awful lot of choices.
Thanks for the insight on the different bishop moves. Is Bg5 considered the “main line,” or do several moves fall under that category?
Thanks for the insight on the different bishop moves. Is Bg5 considered the “main line,” or do several moves fall under that category?
1 day ago
0
#4
lukecopeland21 wrote:
Wow! That’s an awful lot of choices.
Thanks for the insight on the different bishop moves. Is Bg5 considered the “main line,” or do several moves fall under that category?
Thanks for the insight on the different bishop moves. Is Bg5 considered the “main line,” or do several moves fall under that category?
Most refer to 6.Bg5 as the "Old Main Line" whose popularity has been superceded by 6.Be3 about 20years ago. But as mentioned in an earlier post, you have almost a dozen 6th moves to contend with.
I'll stick with the Petroff and the French, thank you! Way too far past my prime to be playing the Najdorf.
1 day ago
0
#5
Nerwal wrote:
Be2 is mainly positional, Bc4 and Bg5 are very complicated tactical messes - Bg5 has probably the biggest body of theory of the entire chess realm. Be3 is in between - an interesting topic is whether Black can completely avoid the normal English Attack lines and keep a decent position.
But there are many more moves that have seriously been tried, some quite interesting : 6. h3, 6. Bd3, 6. f3, 6. g3, 6. a4, 6. f4, even 6. Rg1 and 6. Nb3 are not without point.
The Winawer French can compete with the 6.Bg5 Najdorf for mass about of theory. The difference is a lot of that side theory favors Black in the Winawer while White can get away with it in the 6.Bg5 Najdorf. The few than don't favor Black almost immediately are 5.Bd2 and 7.h4. That 7.h4 line is very dangerous, and is actually what I play when on the White side.
1.e4 e6 2.d4 d5 3.Nc3 Bb4 and now:
4.Bd3, 4.Nge2, 4.a3, 4.exd5 are all benign lines for White, but Black must know them.
4.e5 c5 (or 4...Ne7) and now:
A) 5.Bd2
B) 5.a3 and now
B1) 5...Ba5
B2) 5...Bxc3+ 6.bxc3 and now
B21) 6...Qc7 7.Qg4 f5
B22) 6...Ne7 and now
B221) 7.Nf3
B222) 7.a4
B223) 7.f4
B224) 7.h4
B225) 7...Qg4 and now
B2251) 7...Nf5
B2252) 7...O-O
B2253) 7...Kf8
B2254) 7...Qc7 and now
B22541) 8.Bd3
B22542) 8.Qxg7 Rg8 9.Qxh7 cxd4 10.Ne2 Nc6 11.f4 dxc3 and now 12.Qd3 and 12.h4 are both options and it just expands from there.