Theoria
8765432abcdefgh1

Sicilian Defense

Najdorf Variation, Scheveningen Variation

B84positional

  1. 1.e4c5
  2. 2.Nf3d6
  3. 3.d4cxd4
  4. 4.Nxd4Nf6
  5. 5.Nc3a6
  6. 6.Be2e6
  7. 7.O-ONbd7
150 games39%59%

A Najdorf line that reaches a Scheveningen pawn structure via 6. Be2, with Black developing the queen's knight to d7 for flexible, positional play.

Train it in Theoria

About the Scheveningen Variation

This line reaches a Scheveningen structure, with Black's pawns on d6 and e6, through the Najdorf move order and the quiet 6. Be2. With 7...Nbd7 Black develops the queen's knight to d7 instead of c6, the square it takes in the Classical Scheveningen main line. White most often answers 8. Be3, with 8. f4 and 8. Bg5 also common. The engine gives White a slight edge and prefers 8. a4. Black scores well in a small online sample.

Popular continuations