Theoria
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Sicilian Defense

Najdorf Variation, Poisoned Pawn Variation

B97tacticalgambitaggressive

  1. 1.e4c5
  2. 2.Nf3d6
  3. 3.d4cxd4
  4. 4.Nxd4Nf6
  5. 5.Nc3a6
  6. 6.Bg5e6
  7. 7.f4Qb6
1,353 games42%48%

Sharp Najdorf line in which 7...Qb6 targets b2, often leading Black to grab the pawn at the cost of development; one of the most analyzed Sicilians.

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About the Poisoned Pawn Variation

With 7...Qb6, Black attacks the b2-pawn and withdraws the queen from the kingside. The usual reply, 8. Qd2, allows 8...Qxb2 9. Rb1 Qa3, and White gives up the pawn for a lead in development. 8. Nb3 defends the pawn instead. 8. a3 sets a trap, since 8...Qxb2?? 9. Na4 snares the queen. Bronstein was an early pioneer of the line and Fischer later championed it. The theory runs extremely deep, and the engine rates the position balanced.

Popular continuations