An interesting open Sicilian, with both sides playing unreservedly for mate. Even after I'd played 33.Nd5, I was still afraid I might lose it. Any similar games or comments appreciated (especially from Najdorf Slayer!) ;-)
Game 3772224
Originally posted by jacr100Really nice win! Very high quality game!
An interesting open Sicilian, with both sides playing unreservedly for mate. Even after I'd played 33.Nd5, I was still afraid I might lose it. Any similar games or comments appreciated (especially from Najdorf Slayer!) ;-)
Game 3772224
Had a quick look through it, Black didn't really play the opening energetically enough and White always had a healthy edge most of the way through.
I thought you did really well to keep the pressure on all the way through the game!!
Here to redress the balance is a couple of nice wins by myself as Black in the same varaition (albiet against lower rated opponents).
Game 3491922
Game 3323217
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The post that was quoted here has been removedI agree with what you are saying.
Black should certainly try and soften White up by advancing the Q-side pawns, when the e6 bishop is menacingly pointing towards White's king.
The pawn structure that White obtains makes Black's job more difficult in attacking White's king.
I also think that the queens kinght is better developed on d7 rather than c6 in this variation of the Najdorf.
Again here is a nice win by myself as Black in this sysyem (this time with 6...e5) to readress the balance (Sorry Caba).
Game 3709836
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The post that was quoted here has been removedI don't like Qc7 it commits the queens far too early!! The key in this variation is basically to play a quick Nbd7, once this has been done you must make sure that if White can play g5 and attack the knight on f6 that the d7 square has been vacated by the queens knight.
For example lets just say Black plays the best move which is NOT 8...Qc7 but 8...Nbd7 (I am assuming Black has played 7...b5 and 8...Qc7 here which gives the same position) then after 9.g4 Black should play 9...Nb6 then if White plays 10.g5 the f6 knight can retreat to d7 giving Black a nice position.
Obviously if White plays an immediate 8.g4 there is no time for this and should play 8...h6 to prevent White attacking the Knight on f6.
I'm giving away far too many of my Najdorf trade secrets away here
Originally posted by najdorfslayerAn excellent win with a thematic rook capture on the c-file to force white on teh defensive. At the moment I think 6...e5 (as played in this game) is stronger than 6...e6, but I haven't played enough games to be sure.
I agree with what you are saying.
Black should certainly try and soften White up by advancing the Q-side pawns, when the e6 bishop is menacingly pointing towards White's king.
The pawn structure that White obtains makes Black's job more difficult in attacking White's king.
I also think that the queens kinght is better developed on d7 rather th ...[text shortened]... this sysyem (this time with 6...e5) to readress the balance (Sorry Caba).
Game 3709836
Also congrats to Smaug for that well-calculated rook sacrifice.
Many thanks to both of you for these games; I hope they'll provide useful reference in Najdorf encounters to come.