Unveiling the Strategy | Sicilian Najdorf | GM Naroditsky’s Theory Speed Run

[@krehera]

If you did end up doing a ten-hour video on the Najdorf, I would slowly work my way through the whole thing.

[@AKH3156]

Same here, would buy a course as well if he made one similar to the jobava course

[@NVDumpit]

I would buy the course

[@ftgttg3423]

You should get Anish Giri's chessable course

[@muhdsiddiq7753]

​​@@ftgttg3423ut i dont have money so where can i get all variation of one opening for free?

[@macdonaldnnadi]

@@muhdsiddiq7753engine or check out opening tree

[@y.ala9841]

right when i picked up my pizza, i see a new video of daniel naroditsky. Life is good, God bless

[@MadFire5445]

sounds cozy I am jealous

[@antisowshl]

simple things 🙏🏼

[@GodwardPodcast]

Congratulations on your victory!

[@liljackypaper]

This reminds me of the video of the young kid saying i got a new girlfriend, my pizza rolls are ready, I'm playing Fortnite with my boys, life is amazing!

[@osaabd390]

Make your own pizza. Not rocket science

[@roippi3985]

guest analysis from Yasser 42:40 Geller 57:06 Svidler 1:04:02 yes

[@adamfirth3082]

I thought he was possesed.

[@GausEdukativniCentar]

@roipp3985 Why is he saying it that way? And how is he so serious while doing it?

[@mikebaker2436]

​@@adamfirth3082You might not be wrong.

[@mikebaker2436]

​@@GausEdukativniCentarBecause Yasser is serious while doing it. 😅

[@angeloschellens]

I cannot stress enough just how good these speedrun videos are. 15+10 is perfect, the calm board (yes, it really helps) and the entire layout is absolutely perfect for chess players of almost any level. Your commentary while playing greatly levels our understanding of these complex positions, even if by now we have arrived at a rating where games are sometimes about such subtle details that the average player can struggle to follow the flow of the game. Please keep making this style of speedrun videos, even if it will be a 1:1 same speedrun with just slightly different openings to this one. There is a chess content void left by a more flashy style of videos (Gothamchess) and the pure analytical videos that require multiple Harvard degrees to understand and this speedrun is perfect for the people with a decent attention span that want to improve their understanding of Chess. Thank you Danya 🙏

[@Uberspree]

Danya, your teaching skills are amazing, and combined to your chess skills and determination to make these videos, this makes you an invaluable ressource for the chess community. Thank you again and please do not stop to create this godsent content.

[@josephsalmonte4995]

If Danya has to use 100% of his calculation power to make a line work then I know I'm not trying it 😂

[@andrewferguson6901]

In a nearly infinite space of moves and lines. There must be one that works but only if played perfectly. We crave that mineral

[@cortaisfashion5106]

It's not becaue of the line, it's because of the opponent

[@RG001100]

Not with that attitude. :P

[@josephsalmonte4995]

@@cortaisfashion5106 Nope. That line was complicated af.

[@chessbeantube]

So true. This got complicated fast!

[@liljackypaper]

Wow, Danya went for a hat trick tonight! We've got three new words to add to the vocabulary list I've learned from watching his videos! Updated list: Audaciously Respite Apriori Assiduous Ensconce Circumspect Convoluted Endemic Revulsion Enthralled Gradation Phalanx Conflating Myopic Scant Crux Excoriate Peeve Foible Predilection Drab Compendium Vocab elo: 3225!!

[@emiliengonsard4522]

I thought I was the only shocked by the breadth of his vocabulary, thanks for the list !

[@liljackypaper]

@@emiliengonsard4522 He does it in such a subtle manner too! He never sounds pretentious like most people would using a lot of these words

[@dredzysaint]

It was my first time watching his videos and I was so impressed when he said "a priori"... I think it was originally coined by Kant in the "Critique of Pure Reason". Or at least that's where I first came across it.

[@eliasvonbrille]

Yeah his vocabulary is quite astounding. I knew most of these words although English isn't my first language, but I wouldn't be able to use them as casually as he does.

[@yasmine1235]

Woah!

[@rogertabet8579]

Thanks!

[@Tulio_Fonseca]

Danya, listen: WE LOVE YOUR VIDEOS, NO MATTER HOW LONG THEY GET TO BE. (I actually would be onboard for a lot of other Najdorf lines). Sending you a lotta love from Brazil 🇧🇷

[@alexcosta8167]

56:13 You're never boring, you're awesome! 🤩 The lines are fascinating, and the depth of your knowledge and manner of explaining are incredible. Thank you for it all :)

[@markbodor9273]

My favourite sentence in the whole game was before that "Now here, it gets really advanced." :D

[@Samuel-pm9rg]

That's the most audacious I've ever seen anyone pour their tea

[@pavelkiselev_youtube]

I really enjoy this state of art chess. Also the fact that you uploaded the game against such a great opponent and with your mistake - that’s what every new player dreams of, real fighting

[@chrischristian7511]

I’m a simple man. When I get a notification that Sensei Danya dropped a new speedrun video, I drop whatever it is i’m doing and watch.

[@ryancrouch813]

GMHunter living up to his name, gave Danya a run for his money! Too bad he's an absolute supercomputer at 30 sec remaining xD

[@AR-ln7ip]

Kramnik would call that "interesting."

[@KanaYua]

i think he's cheating, i know it's a year late but i can't search the opponent profile. so it most likely got banned

[@faznaz7455]

This game was really interesting to watch Danya turn around a worse position into a winning one, impressive resourcefulness!

[@danh72]

This was the length of a movie. Absolutely worth every second. Thank you!

[@Stat1916]

I satrted watching chess vids with Gothamchess, I found you Danya and can honestly say, you sir are my favorite chess content creator. I recently purchased yours and Bortnyk's Jobava course. Your sub count does NOT say enough about your contribution to beginner and beyond chess players. Thank you, Mr. Naroditsky.

[@Twadeps]

I tuned into the speedrun around 3 months ago and have been watching religiously. I love the content and I started liking opening theory because of you. My rating went from 1250 to 1400 !! It may not seem like a lot to some people but for me it means a lot. thanks danya !

[@FmFpF1992]

1250 to 1400 is a big jump, especially in that low- intermediate ELO range that can be a minefield because you are usually good enough to know a move is bad, but not always how to punish it, causing you to lose rating easily (plus people still play weird stuff that is not in an opening course many of us are working through making them look like geniuses). It took me like the last 6 months to just consistently stay in the 1500's. Good luck on your chess journey!

[@gingerayyle]

Me watching the game: "Ah yes all the moves make sense the way Danya explains it" Me after the game: what's move 4 👁👄👁

[@twoduece]

fun fact miguel najdorf largely stopped playing the opening by his name later in his career because the theory had expanded far beyond his grasp, if i recall right he recounted a specific few times he was caught in the extensive prep of much younger players and lost. not sure if danya mentions this because im only halfway through but still.

[@BusyLizzy575]

ohh i’m such an arsehole, once i’ve done all my jobs i just want to sit in the bath with a beer and watch the speedrun. love the analysis, i was a solid 1650 and since watching daniel i’m a solid 1800 on internet. I’m sure it’s because i hear you walk us through the moves so clearly. Thanks so much

[@carterburgess2337]

Switching to the Najdorf back when I was more consistently playing in OTB tournaments really reinvigorated my enjoyment of the game. The positions are just so fun and dynamic, and it's really given me an edge to face 1800-2000 level players head on. So excited to see what I can learn from Danya :)

[@whimsnickal]

As ever, these videos are impeccable in their quality and usefulness. The internet's chess teacher strikes again.

[@jwky8295]

What a video!!!!!! So entertaining that I didn't realise how long it was until you pointed it out. From a nail-biting game to such a bountiful analysis of all the mistakes and ideas in the positions and calculations. Keep it up Danya!

[@daymongray3516]

I had to rewind so many times it probably took me 90 minutes just to watch the game. Meanwhile my 10 min games pass in a flash.

[@MadGunny]

Nice to see the Najdorf again

[@JUNGELMAN2012]

I love the introduction of the pronunciation 'the shenanigan' for the Scheveningen. From now on it will be renamed for me.

[@joshburk1897]

Wow. Those psycho complications in the a5 variation were fascinating to see. And I loved seeing the behind the scenes look at those grandmaster sidelines. Another masterpiece to be sure.

[@waveexistence5742]

This is the best video of the speedrun. Awesome game, deep analysis, doesn't get better than this. Thank you Danya!

[@robertgelblum5154]

Well, I made it through the entire video! While I might have a headache from trying to follow all that deep analysis, I feel that even if I understood fully only 10% of the video, it must have had a big positive effect on my overall chess understanding.

[@ItsMeVicky]

I was just waiting for another najdorf, super instructional!

[@ChessEvaluation]

Tbh Youre teaching skills are fantastic is always on top , even this last for 1hr+ it's never been boring

[@Benjamin-rm2nt]

Anish Giri has one of the best tutorials for the Najdorf on KZbin, watching him play against of it here is just mind-blowing 🤯

[@Sentorial]

It's always interesting to see your opponents play the exact move you suggest, just after you suggest it.

[@patrickpet7905]

No the opponent was using an engine because he was making the best moves Danya didn't even see

[@scottyoung2601]

I appreciate the enthusiasm in this episode. The Najdorf is way beyond me. At least right now.

[@jtcaruanafan4617]

We here on KZbin love you Man. Good luck going into your match tomorrow against M.C.. We're all rooting for you. Thanks for being an excellent chess ambassador!

[@SEAKPhotog]

Wow, now *that* was suspenseful. What a fun game to watch. Thanks, Danya!

[@Heroball299]

I've said it before, but as someone who only ever plays on their phone, those arrows you can draw up on a computer give such an advantage. It just makes it so much easier to visualise.

[@sansamman4619]

These videos are SO GOOD omfg this is fantastic so underrated

[@Mustafa-vl9lz]

1.25 speed Headphones 🎧 Midnight And I goo 😴😴😴 when watching your videos Love it Keep going Dayna

[@richardserlin1317]

Ok, so most players would not even begin to have the time to learn the Najdorf well enough to play it, but you may have no choice but to play against it. It would be nice to get some general strategic advice for what to do if your opponent uses the Najdorf against you and you know little or no Najdorf theory. Funny aside, I was playing the computer at full strength for kicks, and it chose the Najdorf. I thought I got a strong position with both of blacks wings unsafe, and the king in the center, and I prepared to blast it open. I was shocked at how much latent power blacks pieces built up and unleashed! Thanks again for the best and most entertaining chess instruction on the internet.

[@Noko099]

Danya's channel is the only channel where I click the like button before watching it.

[@bughunter1766]

Same here. Too bad more don't do it because it's easy to forget when you go to close the video.

[@rodneychristian9834]

As always, Danya finds a way to make complicated games instructional and interesting.

[@yosefcohen483]

Congratulations! 11:15 "The fact that a queen is among the primary attackers, overrides the fact that there are more attackers than defenders" This is the first time I have heard Anyone saying that. A known fact that no one ever mentions for some reason.

[@musical_lolu4811]

I think Danya, if you can find a way to teach us how to calculate and visualize complicated lines in games like this, we'd be veeeery much obliged. Because this is the real skill, like the actual chess skill. And I understand it goes way beyond solving mere 'tactical puzzles'. Oh I'd be so happy if this can happen. Or, if someone in your editing crew can help animate your real time calculation process on a separate analysis board for youtube, that would be great!

[@justarandomanimegirlpassin5341]

Most of it you can study when he does puzzles there all he does is calculate but still i would be very happy if he published a course or video on how to calculate and train calculation properly

[@zachingram04]

I don't really think there is a way of teaching this (as much as I wish there was) besides recommending certain books and exercises. Your ability to visualize and calculate is directly proportional to the amount you practice and the quality of your practice, with a coefficient being your talent. I would just find and study chess books that specifically focus on those skills (of which there are many). I don't personally own any on the topic, but I flipped through Cognitive Chess by Chernyshov in a bookstore and it seemed promising.

[@FlamingFalconMan]

Yeah. That’s because there isn’t really a way. Simply because everyones brains are different and everyone visualises differently. Like everyones minds eye has different levels of vividness etc. So the only advice anyone can really give you is how to recognise where to calculate, how deep and what moves to calculate first. With the rest of it coming from just practice. Or general mental wellness stuff like good sleep, exercise, diet, memory exercises etc.

[@douwehuysmans5959]

Also it's important not to have the expectation that it's like in the Queens gambit where you visually see the board in 4K resolution.

[@bughunter1766]

There are a number of calculation courses on chessable and that would be the place to start. There's a new one by Gangly I just put in my wish list. He suggests it's for everyone but I suspect it has some incredibly complicated material too. I think the go-to course is from Azel Chua, Calculation, a complete guide for tournament Players. He did a follow-up to it and a third course as well. It nearly one course of the year.

[@katanaxi]

This was such a cool video! I'm a beginner but I used the idea of infiltrating weaknesses with the queen to win a game today! Thanks for sharing the knowledge :)

[@p7sc7l26]

Really looking forward to this series you wanna make where you compare how chess players of different levels handle a position. I think you could introduce many high level and instructive ideas

[@jamesdelb6885]

Great analysis, great little history lesson on Savielly Tartakower and the Najdorf,

[@kacywilliams1]

Excellent. Excellent. Excellent. Thank you for posting.

[@fauvray]

Opponent’s game history suggests that he stream sniped his way into this game (rarely does rapid and then plays a singular game in the middle of a streak of 30 blitz matches) - just a lil sketchy

[@xNOTMYREALNAMEx]

his opponent repeatedly played moves that danya verbally suggested to him, up to a certain point when danya caught on and stopped suggesting/predicting moves for him out loud. then his opponent stopped playing the best moves and quickly collapsed and lost huh. odd case!

[@faznaz7455]

@@xNOTMYREALNAMExIt isn’t black and white as you suggest. Danya made some serious inaccuracies this game and a4 was a mistake. Moves such as b4 are natural to a 2100 player and i do think Danya played the opening and most of the middlegame game much below a titled player but he managed to slowly turn around his troubles in the end.

[@ThomasDuncanSawyer]

@@faznaz7455 No he didn't. He played book moves all the way into the middle game. Then he had a better position, playing very well up until he played 25.a4 which only landed him in a slightly worse position. Then he didn't slowly turn around his troubles. He actually let the position slip even farther until his opponent made a series of blunders. The turn around was quick. Your point would be fine if your argument wasn't completely false at every turn.

[@mozzikum]

The explanation of Nxb7 vs Ne4 at the end was enlightening and inspiring!

[@ziadyoussef2632]

Such a joy to watch danya playing tactically

[@aDushandrii]

I really like this switch to najdorf. I hope we will see more

[@afshinalijani]

This is a great video; so educational but also very exciting. This was 10 hours of teaching material condensed in 1.5. Thanks very much.

[@youtubegangstrz6513]

Danya I went from 400 elo to 1200 elo in 6 months because of these videos. Thank you 😁🙏

[@suezuccati304]

Huge props to the opponent, that was an amazing game

[@pugsnhogz]

Not enough comments like this! That was seriously some above-the-pay-grade play from a 2100

[@morenocroda3984]

Ironically enough Danya had already played this opponent in another speedrun (Smith-Morra Gambit ACCEPTED | The Sensei Speedrun | GM Naroditsky - kzbin.info/www/bejne/bZ_XiKFqgJaSe5Y) He played pretty well until he blundered and then resigned

[@keredchang]

This guy's recent losses are very sketchy. Literally blundering queens and bishops by placing them next to a pawn or directly in front of a capturing piece against 1900's. @@morenocroda3984

[@builderphill1361]

Strange how the account doesn't exist anymore

[@nebuchadnezzar6894]

@@builderphill1361 It appears that the account still exists but it is now called GMMaster1992

[@salgarfn9235]

Instead of rook a6 there's a beautiful line with rook c7 and then bishop d7 where you sack the rook for an extraordinary attack. I love the sicilian

[@sparkster4000]

I’m around 1400-1500 ELO and since this video dropped I’ve faced the English 3 times 😂 despite barely ever facing an open Sicilian One game followed this game EXACTLY all the way up to BB5. I played the H5 line with great success and won the game! Thanks Daniel :)

[@juankplaysmusic]

What a beautiful game! (and oc the ultra valuable commentary). Chess it's a truly a journey (even one single game), the game of games!

[@aidanmcqueary2016]

Im so glad you did my favorite opening. I was waiting for a najdorf game!

[@aabweld]

This video helped me understand the Najdorf. Thanks Sensei.

[@JimJWalker]

Six time Florida Champion Gary Sanders 2400+ USCF showed me the idea of a5 in 1992 from his own analysis. RIP Gary, you would have been a GM if you had been able to get to Europe. 😢

[@lilachbandavid7605]

hi danya, thanks so much for all of your awesome content. I was really waiting for you to get to discuss the Najdorf, as it's my favorite opening and my main weapon against 1. e4, and I'm even more excited that you faced an English attack. what I was really surprised you didn't even mention is one of the best weaponst againgst the English attack, which is I believe Boris Gelfand's idea: responding to 9. Qd2 with ...h5?!, postponing or avoiding castling (depending on white's play). In my experience, h5?! really frustrates white's attempts at a quick pawn storm on the king side, as the plans just become too slow, for example, h3 can be met withe ...h4. anyway, thanks again and hopefully for all current and future Najdorf lovers out there, you get the chance to discuss this line in a future video.

[@kai45654]

As a Najdorf player I'm very happy to see this

[@douglasb88]

This is fantastic stuff. I wish I could Like and Subscribe more than once 😅. Dedinitely going to go buy your course to support you (and bc the Jobava seems like an amazing weapon).

[@adambartone9193]

This is awesome. I am similar rating to your opponent and play najdorf exclusively as black. I have to say, white played very very well this game.

[@Concordborn14]

Love your videos Danya, I hope the next Speedrun is all Jobava!

[@DrSergioValdez]

You are great teacher. Thanks!

[@BrandonHeb-fh8cm]

LFG DANYA! HOPE YOU CRUSH IT IN THE BCC!!

[@aaaaaa-rr8xm]

29:28 Row, row, row the boat, gently down the stream

[@Chess_Improvement]

as always super educational , many thanks!!!

[@panmichael7697]

English attack in najdorf ends in only two ways: boring equal endgame, or black 3 passed pawns on kingside vs white 3 passed pawns on queenside. I love this opening

[@AxisofHonor25]

Hey Danya, not sure if you realized it but this GMHunter9 player is the same one you faced in your Sicilian Smith Morra speed run upload. While that was a shorter game, they played really well in that one too.

[@smthgbttruth]

amazing content, the passion is palpable

[@jumbo6498]

That was very well played.

[@jamesduggan7200]

Well, I might try playing ... a6-a5 if I wasn't afraid someone would slap my knuckles with a wooden ruler. However, the game seemed extraordinarily organic, but with the hidden feature of capturing the h-pawn. It was a very pretty attack, so thank you very much.

[@Xbotto]

ive been waiting this for a year YES

[@lew3733]

Danya and Stepjan(aka Hanging Pawns) are for sure my favorite chess KZbinrs.

[@ShinySalamence1]

43:00 Danya doing my (and Nepo’s) favorite 6. Rg1 dirty by not even mentioning it under “provocative and rare moves.”

[@olexandrsavelev4458]

Danya thanks for content and good luck!

[@PuyolsHonor]

Your opponent is quite fast, some would say a very good Cheetah

[@mostlyharmless11]

The next speedrun username should be "by a country mile"

[@GjFla]

Man, please play najdorf in the future. Such battle inspires more than dragon, no matter the amount of theory required.

[@T-Dogg121]

GMHunter is such a hilarious screenname

[@horaciomlhh]

Avoiding trade idea at the end for dominance, Looks very similar to the idea from Danya's 1:26:41 win against Caruana OTB in classical

[@Brucelee-pv6uf]

46:35 omgg man I adore fisher He is my fav player in history and of all time

[@sejongchessclub]

At 16:00, you played Ra6. According to Stockfish 16NNUE, h6 or Rc8 seem to maintain Black's advantage in this position. I was wondering whether you would be kind enough to explain the reasoning behind the recommendation h6. I just don't understand it. It seems odd to take time out here to give the king some luft. Similarly, I don't understand the move Rc8, other than it claims a semi-open file and covers the c5-square somewhat. Thank you kindly in advance.

[@kelemenaron]

That Gellér at 42:41 was hilarious 😂

[@prathamesh413]

Another hour long video ❤❤❤ Thank you sensei

[@perchik1]

What a game! Kudos to your opponent - 2100s are no joke.

[@AI-xi4jk]

@daniel naroditsky I was considering taking the B on b6, Qxb6, Bd8 - if queen moves we go b5 and trap B. So white has to give up exchange on d8. Maybe insufficient compensation for black with exchange up or am I missing something?

[@barthouweling4787]

30:46 wait he wasn't counter-sniping here?!

[@anthonycohen771]

Amazing content! this is realy pure gold, and for free!

[@Ryan.fromWA]

We are fortunate to have Danya, what other GM is willing to do this sort of in depth exam for free? Ive learned more from watching a few of his YT videos than I did watching Hikaru on twitch daily for 2 years.

[@moritztrosin4485]

This was my favourite speedrun game so far

[@ateequrrehman8937]

Thanks another for all of this❤ keep it going

[@MrTopherdrew]

the golden refresh 🤩

[@giant05]

17:23 Nc5 Rxb6 Nxe6 Nc3+ Ka1 Nxd1 isnt there Qxb6? How about Nxa4 instead

[@richardserlin1317]

Great video, as usual, but curious about the funny voice, like Geller, and Yees at 1:04.

[@adrianf.5847]

One of Tartakower's sayings was "Erro, ergo sum." He said that even before the advent of computers. Pretty prophetic.

[@wellutopia2237]

Thank you for these.