Najdorf Variation, Polugaevsky Variation, Simagin Line
- 1.e4c5
- 2.Nf3d6
- 3.d4cxd4
- 4.Nxd4Nf6
- 5.Nc3a6
- 6.Bg5e6
- 7.f4b5
- 8.e5dxe5
- 9.fxe5Qc7
- 10.Qe2
32 games
A sharp Najdorf Polugaevsky sideline in which White plays 10. Qe2, keeping the e5-pawn's threat alive while defusing Black's ...Qe5+ resource.
Train it in TheoriaAbout the Simagin Line
Instead of taking at once with 10. exf6, White plays 10. Qe2, putting the queen on the e-file. A later exf6 then no longer allows Black to recover the piece with ...Qe5+ check. The f6-knight remains attacked, and Black almost always answers 10...Nfd7, which is also the engine's first choice, while 10...b4 is a rare alternative. The engine gives White a slight edge, and the line is seldom played.