The Najdorf Sicilian: Exploring Its Spirit, Strategies, and Suitability for Your Game

The Art of Awakening Pieces has material on Najdorf pawn breaks: www.chessable.com/the-art-of-...
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00:00 Introduction
02:55 Pilnik - Fischer (1959)
11:03 Unzicker - Fischer (1962)
14:35 Karjakin - Anand (2006)
26:26 Grischuk - Kasparov (2001)
38:35 Quiz 1: Center & Flank Connection
40:35 Quiz 2: Najdorf Pawn Break: Mature or Premature?
42:10 Polgar's Najdorf Masterpiece
45:00 Quiz 3: Central Pawn Majority
46:20 My Own Game against 6. Bg5 variation
This video looks at one of the most popular openings: The Najdorf variation of the Sicilian Defense. This aggressive opening has attracted so many world champions. Despite its aggressive nature, Najdorf is an extremely sound opening that gives Black several long-term strategic cards. This video looks at the spirit and philosophy of the Najdorf Sicilian while showing several model games, pawn structures, pawn breaks, and typical middlegame plans. Ultimately, you will decide whether Najdorf is an opening that suits your style.
Model games in Najdorf analysed in this video:
Pilnik-Fischer (1959): www.chessgames.com/perl/chess...
Unzicker - Fischer (1962) www.chessgames.com/perl/chess...
Karjakin - Anand (2006) www.chessgames.com/perl/chess...
Grischuk - Kasparov (2001): www.chessgames.com/perl/chess...

[@Dr.CansClinic]

I am considering to create my first ever opening course on Chessable. Which opening should that be?

[@DeepFriedLiver]

I’d buy a Najdorf course like this. Nimzo would also be a excellent choice. But any course that presents a major opening in this way would be good.

[@paulshedden9682]

Ruy López for white. It’s a healthy opening that all top players in history have played, so there are lots of model games to study in addition to theory

[@CheckmateSurvivor]

Please have a look at my latest video about some insane openings. I really want to hear your opinion.

[@ThomasLoganRitchie]

A Karpov based Caro-Kann would be very nice. Currently, nobody touched the 4...Nd7 line against the classical on Chessable. In my opinion, this line is underrated these days for no good reason. Moreover, the QGD/Nimzo-lines against the Panov (1.e4 c6 2.d4 d5 3.ed cd 4.c4 Nf6 5.Nc3 e6) played successfully by Karpov in the 70s, 80s and 90s have also been neglected by Chessable authors so far. Again, with no good reason, in my opinion.

[@Pierre_16_16]

Hi Can, I'll be honored if you can consider my application for the beta test on chessable. Kind regards.

[@Pierre_16_16]

I really appreciate the way you're teaching openings, understand moves instead of learn by heart, this make the difference.

[@Dr.CansClinic]

Thank you so much Pierre! I hope this way of learning the material will give you much longer retention!

[@DeepFriedLiver]

What an awesome lesson. I recently identified that I’m not considering positional ideas enough in my games and it’s hurting my play. So, I’ve been working a lot on positional concepts and keeping them top of mind as I play. I also play the Najdorf. That makes this lesson a bit of a gold mine for me. All these games are going into my file of model games. Great stuff! Love the channel!

[@Dr.CansClinic]

Thank you so much for your encouraging thoughts! I hope the video will help. When it comes to positional skill building, I have to mention my 5 Chessable courses :)

[@kelvinrojas215]

Love your videos Dr. Can! Especially how much passion you emanate for chess

[@Dr.CansClinic]

Love such motivating feedback! Passion is contagious indeed!

[@sultanahmed7218]

Your explanations are fantastic! They've really helped me understand chess concepts. By any chance, do you have any recommendations for videos specifically on the Sicilian Kan Variation? If not, a video on the Kan would be amazing content to see in the future!

[@Dr.CansClinic]

Thank you so much for your kind thoughts ☺️ Really motivating. I will definitely consider making a Kan video in the future.

[@YashpalSinghKatharria]

Thank you so much Dr Can, this video is a great source of info for me as I love playing Najdorf myself. The typical ideas of this system nicely explained by you are very helpful. You are a great chess content creator. I have also purchased your beautiful chessable course on Chess Crimes. I request you to make a similar detailed video about Ruy-Lopez too. Thanks once again.

[@Dr.CansClinic]

I am so happy to hear your motivating feedback 🙏 Hope you enjoyed Chess Crime and Punishment too. I will write Ruy Lopez to my video idea list ;)

[@YashpalSinghKatharria]

@@Dr.CansClinic I am enjoying the course thoroughly.

[@Dr.CansClinic]

@@YashpalSinghKatharria 🙏

[@user-oi9ij5fy5m]

The best enthusiastic video of Nazdorf Sicilian on you tube , thanks

[@Dr.CansClinic]

Glad you liked it! Thank you for watching it!

[@amarpaatshala]

Thanks for this video! Please make a video of Sicilian dragon variation like this!

[@Dr.CansClinic]

Thanks! Will surely consider it.

[@paradoxx639]

Amazing video, you should make more of them on this beaufiful opening. Also please make a video on the differences between e6 and d6 sicilians

[@Dr.CansClinic]

Thank you for your kind comment. I will keep your suggestion in mind!

[@adriangutierrez2670]

Najdorf looks absolutely AMAZING but I dont think I have the time needed to invest studyng all that theory =(

[@Dr.CansClinic]

Thanks for the feedback. Perhaps one day you can go back to it :)

[@simonhinkel4086]

Your opponents don't know a lot of theory as well :) Just start and learn as you go :)

[@Dr.CansClinic]

Good point! @@simonhinkel4086

[@eschiedler]

A very comprehensive video, lots of strategic thinking here to study. Thanks.

[@Dr.CansClinic]

Thank you so much!

[@josehenrique7864]

Najdorf of course! 🙂 Looking forward to it!

[@Dr.CansClinic]

Will give it a serious thought, thanks!

[@ManojKumar-yl3hx]

Nice instructional video

[@Dr.CansClinic]

Glad it was helpful!

[@magicvoice0741]

More opening videos....please sir❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@Dr.CansClinic]

They take time to prepare, but I will make more of them for sure ❤

[@frankbrown6305]

At what level would you consider to low to try this opening. For example I’ve read that anyone below 1500 should not attempt the kings Indian. Does this opening have the same restrictions?

[@leadbyyou]

PAWN TO A6 IS THE BEST MOVE OF ALL TIME IN ALL OF CHESS

[@Dr.CansClinic]

That is an ambitious claim :)

[@RonaldoMoura]

I couldn't find Polgar's game. If you know this game, please let a comment. Amazing content as always!

[@Dr.CansClinic]

Thank you! Milos - Polgar 1996, Sao Paulo.

[@user-gg6df4xr3i]

Cant wait for this...Take your time like you said its a minefield i'd rather wait another 6 months at least if that's what it takes...you can quickly update it within the months release if somethings missing.

[@Dr.CansClinic]

I think we need to wait longer than 6 months... Other projects came about, and probably it will be a broader Sicilian course rather than only Najdorf.

[@user-gg6df4xr3i]

@@Dr.CansClinic No matter Dr Can i can wait for what ever it is by you,it will be an insta buy with video on the day though without hesitation...Many thanks for your coaching and hardwork sir.

[@Dr.CansClinic]

@@user-gg6df4xr3i Thank you so much for your great support!

[@vishweshmanerkar4302]

Amazing video! I've watched only half of it but it looks like Najdorf is too theory heavy for me. Do you think Classical Sicilian is good for overall chess development? I'm looking for a Sicilian that gives me active positions but not too theoretical.

[@Dr.CansClinic]

Thank you so much for your kind comment! Classical Sicilian maybe a good start to Sicilian structures indeed!

[@supermario1123]

Great way to learn openings! Love the plans vs specific lines.

[@Dr.CansClinic]

Thank you so much!!

[@magicvoice0741]

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@Dr.CansClinic]

❤