Najdorf 7Nde2 Part I

See previous post for introduction to this Sicilan Najdorf Variation.
Tabiya ( key position ) is the following after

1 e4 c5 2Nf3 d6 3d4 cd4 4Nd4 Nf6 5 Nc3 a6 6 Be3 e5 7 Nde2

TABIYA

Variation a): 7..Be6 (Logical development move) 8 f4 Nbd7 -We reach the following diagram

White to play

Here White can play 9 f5!? Bc4 10 Nc1 Bc1 11 Rf1 and



-11..Rc8 12 Nb3 b5 13 a3 Be7 14 Qd3! (Nisipeanu-Aresenshko), White has a good grip on d5, which is the key objective of this variation
-11..d5 !? 12 Nd5 Ne4 13 Nb3 (Nisipeanu-Gelfand 2006)



Variation b): 7..Ng4 8 Nd5 Ne3 9 Ne3 ( 9fe3!?) Be7 10 Nc3 Be6 11 Bc4 !? (Analysis)

Position after 11 Bc4!?. The key here is to play for the control of d5. White has an easier game here in my opinion.

Variation c): 7..Be7 8 Ng3 Be6 9 Be2 0-0 10 0-0 Nbd7 11 a4 Rc8 12 Qd2 Analysis

Here both sides developed their pieces. The computer evaluates the position as +=, slightly better for White. This position is also easier to play with White over the board because Black has no easy plan to free himself.

For instance 12..Nc5 13 b4 or 12..Nb6 13 a5! Nc4 14 Bc4 Bc4 15 Rfe1 d5?! 16 Bb6!; In this last variation, 14..Rc4 is better 15 b3 Rc8 16 Nd5!? gives an interesting battle which is typical of the variation. I suggest you play this line c) (with White AND Black) against a computer to practice.

Once again, the idea here is to give a weapon for White to bring the game on familiar territory. Not every Najdorf player will be thrilled to play such positions, even if the position is either += or = according to your favorite chess engine.

Stay tuned for Part II of this repertoire against the Sicilian Najdorf !