1.e4
c5
2.Nf3
d6
3.d4
cxd4
4.Nxd4
Nf6
5.Nc3
a6
The Najdorf variation of the Sicilian Defense
6.Be3
Perhaps the most popular line, often played by Kasparov
6...Ng4
PLayed immediately before white protects the square with f2-f3
7.Bg5
h6
8.Bh4
g5
In this variation, black gains time against white's bishop, but compare this line to the Sicilian Dragon. White has similar lines and the advance of the black pawns is not clearly in Black's interest.
9.Bg3
Bg7
10.h3
Ne5
11.f3
Nbc6
12.Bf2
Be6
13.Qd2
Nxd4
14.Bxd4
Qa5
Very similar to the Dragon. Perhaps Black should 0-0-0?
15.a3
0-0
16.h4
In the Dragon, this pawn confrontation occurs later on h5.
16...Ng6
17.hxg5
hxg5
18.b4
Qc7
19.Ne2
Novelty
The Ne2 is heading towards either via d4 or g3. The immediate threat is Bxg7 and Qxg5 (because the N will no longer hang on c3. [19.Bxg7
Kxg7
20.0-0-0
Rh8
21.Rxh8
Rxh8
22.Kb2
f6
23.g3
Ne5
24.f4
gxf4
25.gxf4
Nc4+
26.Bxc4
Qxc4
27.e5
dxe5
28.fxe5
f5
29.Qg2+
Kf7
30.Rd3
Qf4
31.Qxb7
Rh2
32.Qf3
Qxe5
33.Re3
Qd4
34.Re2
Rh8
35.Re4
Qf6
36.Re3
Qd4
37.Qe2
Qc4
38.Qg2
Qd4
39.Qe2
Qc4
40.Qg2
Qd4
1/2-1/2 Anand,V-Ponomariov,R/Mainz 2002/CBM 91 (40)]
19...f6
Trying to preserve his dark-squared Bg7, but at what cost? [19...Bc4
20.Bxg7
Kxg7
21.Qxg5
]
20.Bb2
Opening the d4 square for the Ne2
20...Bf7
The Be6 will have to move after Nd4
21.Nd4
d5
The standard try for equality and counter-play in the Sicilian
22.exd5
Qe5+
23.Be2
Prserving his opportunity to 0-0 or 0-0-0
23...Qxd5
24.0-0-0
With the idea of Bd3 and Nf5
24...Rfc8
[24...e5
25.Nf5
Qxd2+
26.Rxd2
Black may survive here, but the white Knight will reach d6 and Black has buried the Bg7]
25.Bd3
Ne5
Losing. Better are with Rc7 or e5
26.Be4
Qa2
27.Nf5
or just Bxb7 [27.Bxb7
Nc4
28.Qc3
f5
29.Bxa8+-
]
27...Nc4
28.Qc3
Rc7
Diagram [28...Qxb2+
29.Qxb2
Nxb2
30.Kxb2
Rc7
31.Nxg7
Kxg7
32.Rh7+
Kf8
33.Rh8+
Bg8
34.Rdh1
Kg7
35.Bd5
Rac8
36.Bxg8
Rxg8
37.R8h7+
Kg6
38.c4+/-
]
29.Rh7!!+-
Qxb2+
[29...Kxh7
30.Nxe7+
Kh6
(30...Kh8
31.Rh1++-
) 31.Rh1+
Bh5
32.g4+-
]
30.Qxb2
Nxb2
31.Rxg7+
Kf8
32.Rh1
1-0