NajdorfType II

Just as in the previous chapter, I shall emphasize that this structure is not only typical of the Najdorf, but rather many other variations in the Sicilian, such as 1 .e4 c5 2.f3 c6 3.d4 d4 4.d4 e5 5.b5 d6. This structure is one of my favourites, as it provides a nice mix of tactical resources and strategic ideas. I grew up playing the English Attack against the Sicilian, and played this pawn structure many times. I enjoyed opposite flank attacks and most of my games took this direction for good or for bad. 1his chapter will not focus on these attacks. I will admit they are very exciting and complex, but they lack the strategic substance that constitutes the essence of this book. Instead we will focus on the strategy that hides behind the combinations. In this structure, all strategic plans are in some way connected to the control of the d5-square. As the reader can easily verify on his own, pretty much every successful attack in this position works out because such central control has been achieved. Now, let's examine how each side may fight for the d5-square:

White's plans :

I. Place a knight on d5, and have enough pieces to always be able to recapture with a piece rather than a pawn.

2. Advance g2-g4-g5 expelling Black's knight on R:l, a defender of the d5-square.

3. Play g5xf6 to eliminate the knight defending the d5-square.

4. Play f2-f4-f5 preventing Black from placing his light-squared bishop on e6.

Black's plans :

1. Break in the centre with ... d6-d5 and, by doing so, take over the initiative.

2. Press down the c-file, so that White cannot play ltJc3-d5 because of a vulnerable pawn on c2.

3. Play ... b7-b5-b4 expelling White's knight from c3 before c3-d5 can be played.

Overall, I believe chances are approximately level. If things work out well for White, he will have pleasant control of the d5-sq uare and he will be able to progress slowly, either positionally on the d-file, or tactically with a kingside pawn storm. On the other hand, if Black's strategy succeeds he will be able either to release his position with ... d6-d5, or favourably transfer into a Najdorf structure ofType I.

Variants of this structure :

Throughout this chapter we will consider two other versions of this pawn structure. The first consists of White having a pawn on c4 rather than c2. Roughly speaking, this permanently aprevents the ... d6-d5 break, but instead gives Black the possibility to attack with ... b7-b5. The second version of this pawn structure consists of White having his f-pawn on f5 instead of f3. The main difference is that such a pawn provides better chances for a kingside attack, although the e4-pawn becomes more vulnerable.

This chapter is organized around these three variants of the structure. The first two games are examples of the standard structure with the pawns on c2 and f3. The first game illustrates White's control of the d5-square while the second is an initial example of Black's central break with ... d6-d5. The next two games showcase White's c4-pawn. In the first, White gains a dominating position from the start and easily imposes his advantage, while the second is a complicated game in which Black gains enduring counterplay by breaking White's central hold with ... b7-b5. The last two games illustrate the structure with White's pawn on f5. In the first White successfully prevents the ... d6-d5 break and slowly grinds Black down, while in the second Black does manage to break in the centre with ... d6-d5 and obtains a quick and easy win.