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White against the najdorf

White against the najdorf

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I have just started to play the open sicilian as white. Does anyone have some suggestions what to play against the najdorf. I do not like 6.Bg5 because black has too many resorces. I am thinking about 6.Bc4 Does anybody have any suggestions?

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i play 6.Bc4 and there's plenty of fischer games you can look up for that

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Strictly speaking the open sicilian and the najdorf are two different animals. The najdorf is favoured by top players today. See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sicilian_Defense

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Originally posted by bikingviking
I have just started to play the open sicilian as white. Does anyone have some suggestions what to play against the najdorf. I do not like 6.Bg5 because black has too many resorces. I am thinking about 6.Bc4 Does anybody have any suggestions?
I've been having trouble choosing between the English Attack (6.Be3) and the Freak Attack (6.Rg1), which seems similar to the Keres. I've chosen the Freak Attack for now because it's so uncompromising, and not theoretical at all. I even started a thread about it - Thread 46976

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Originally posted by bikingviking
I have just started to play the open sicilian as white. Does anyone have some suggestions what to play against the najdorf. I do not like 6.Bg5 because black has too many resorces. I am thinking about 6.Bc4 Does anybody have any suggestions?
Soviet chess pros have claimed for some time that 6.Bg5 is the strongest line against the Najdorf. However, since it was analyzed so much by their top Grandmasters Fischer came out with his own line, 6.Bc4

Both lines require much study and preparation. The main difference between the two lines is that if you are going to play the 6.Bg5 line you have to be prepared to play against the Poisoned Pawn variation.

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Originally posted by arrakis
Soviet chess pros have claimed for some time that 6.Bg5 is the strongest line against the Najdorf. However, since it was analyzed so much by their top Grandmasters Fischer came out with his own line, 6.Bc4

Both lines require much study and preparation. The main difference between the two lines is that if you are going to play the 6.Bg5 line you have to be prepared to play against the Poisoned Pawn variation.
Yeah, almost all Najdorf lines have tons of theory - I try to avoid it.

The English Attack is the current GM favorite, btw.

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Originally posted by bikingviking
I have just started to play the open sicilian as white. Does anyone have some suggestions what to play against the najdorf. I do not like 6.Bg5 because black has too many resorces. I am thinking about 6.Bc4 Does anybody have any suggestions?
Your best bet is to try out all the major 6th moves and pick which ever one you feel most comfortable playing.

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or play 1. d4

honestly, at 1645, the only long Najdorf lines you'll face will be in cc games and then there's always databases for that (just understand the purpose of the moves)

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Originally posted by YUG0slav
or play 1. d4

honestly, at 1645, the only long Najdorf lines you'll face will be in cc games and then there's always databases for that (just understand the purpose of the moves)
Are you suggesting he play 1.d4 to avoid the Najdorf? IMO, The Freak Attack if you're tactical or Be2 if you're positional. Both avoid theory and seem quite sound.

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Originally posted by cmsMaster
Are you suggesting he play 1.d4 to avoid the Najdorf? IMO, The Freak Attack if you're tactical or Be2 if you're positional. Both avoid theory and seem quite sound.
the d4 thing was some bad humor, and didn't Karpov use 6. Be2 ????


Originally posted by YUG0slav
or play 1. d4

honestly, at 1645, the only long Najdorf lines you'll face will be in cc games and then there's always databases for that (just understand the purpose of the moves)
I read something quite funny about the difference between players who play 1.d4 and 1.e4. Of course this is meant in humor, but perhaps there's a thread of truth behind it:

Players who play 1.e4
* Don't mind taking risks to get ahead.
* Spend money freely.
* Many are divorced, or single...
* Strive to get more out of life.
* Like adventure!

Players who play 1.d4
* Do not take risks in real life.
* Are tight with their money.
* Maintain a secure relationship at all times.
* Are satisfied with small gains.
* Wouldn't dream of taking any chance that might destabilize their environment.

My personal assessment of the difference is that it breaks down into the positional player vs the tactical player. Tactical players prefer 1.e4 while positional players like 1.d4. But heck, that's only my opinion.

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so what are 1.c4 players?

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Originally posted by YUG0slav
so what are 1.c4 players?
Homosexual. 😛

No, I used to play 1.c4 - before I decided to play a better opening.

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Originally posted by YUG0slav
so what are 1.c4 players?
Same as 1.d4 players. I'm surprised you asked. 😉

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Originally posted by YUG0slav
or play 1. d4

honestly, at 1645, the only long Najdorf lines you'll face will be in cc games and then there's always databases for that (just understand the purpose of the moves)
I have played d4 for a long time now, (exept for blitz) but I think my tactical skills
need to imporve a bit so now I am playing e4. I think it is much more fun but on the other hand I do not get winning positions quite as ofen. (mostly due to tactics). I'll probably going to play e4 now for a while so I really need to learn something against blacks major lines, especially the sicilian.

What about the endgame. When do a have to care about training endgames.
When I have becomed a tactical maniac?