GM Neiksans Boot Camp #21 - Sicilian Najdorf for Black

[@marcofrey2903]

This was so in depth and insightful, thank you! At 1800, I'm finally stepping into the Open from the Smith Morra and I was shopping around for a line against the Najdorf. I am stunned by the amount of flexibility inherent on each side. Even if that's intimidating, it's also really exciting--a whole new world. I haven't decided between Bg5 or the Adams Attack: both have a different character and excitement for me with Bg5 being more fireworks and the Adams lending itself to positional domination and getting black out of his usual setup. But all the ideas you gave here help me understand what black wants, so I feel like I'm ready to face the Najdorf now regardless of which line I play. Here's to some exciting chess to come!

[@FrancescoCarucci]

Very useful and thorough. Thanks so much.

[@michaellaymen9756]

Very informative ,Thanks a lot for this!!! Much appreciated

[@GMNeiksans]

Come back for the latest episodes!

[@ph34rocious]

The Najdorf is honestly far too complex for someone of my ELO (1600ish) but I can't help but be fascinated by it. This video has been a tremendous help in understanding certain nuances of the position. Thanks for taking the time to provide such content Watching this video, I'm curious why at 1:44:06 it is bad for white to take the pawn on b4 here? It seems black could have defended it but chose to castle first, implying there is no real threat (and white subsequently choosing not to capture it).

[@GMNeiksans]

Hi Dan, thank you for the kind words! White can't really take the pawn on b4 as Black could respond with ...d5 and ...Nd3+ threat. Plus there's also ...a5-a4 threat, attacking the bishop on b3. It's a typical pawn sacrifice.

[@PickleCODM-hw6cj]

16:24 exf4 is a great idea, but there is a much better move Re8! an amazing prophylaxis for f5 exploiting the Queen on e2. If white plays f5, d5! exd5 e4!! and white is lost

[@YagamiBrown]

😊

[@RealBelalMuhammed]

Video starts at 3:32

[@DanacChess]

Thanks!

[@thomashendrich]

Thank you for this video. It's packed full of informaton!

[@hiddenname7210]

34:18 if black just goes h4 he should be fine, or i remember something similar from anish girs course on najdorf, white either get knight on d5 or plays h4, he should never get both.

[@abobrinha4037]

11:23 in this position Be6 is inaccture. one way for white to take the advantege of this move is the immediate 8.f4. Then exf4 Bxf4 would leave white a tempo up on lines he plays Be3 and f2-f4. and 8...Qc7 9. g4 has also score excellent for white.

[@juanpabloboyeras]

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[@mattmark4296]

Thank you for this!

[@GMNeiksans]

Thanks!

[@pittasso]

highly educational!

[@daneQuixote]

Awesome thwbks for this. Easy sub. Quick question, if i should get one book on the najdorf to help flesh out what I learned here what would you recommend? Thanks

[@GMNeiksans]

You're welcome! A Chessable course perhaps? I think Giri has one.

[@DanacChess]

​@@GMNeiksans Yes. I think this video complements giris course very well. Theory+ideas.

[@GoldenBoyXCM]

i think Sozin is with Nc6 and, d6 and not in the Najdorf

[@marcofrey2903]

Many people call it the Sozin anyway. Some call it the Fischer attack.

[@VijayThakurMD]

I've been getting good position from Sicilian but I'm finding it hard to convert I need endgame bootcamp