Mastering the Najdorf (Gambit Guide)

A complete guide to understanding the most popular Sicilian systemNew ebook feature: every diagram is also a link to an interactive Lichess analysis board of that position.“If you have ever wanted to take up the Najdorf but thought it was too much work this book might be just the guide you need. Recommended.” – IM John Donaldson, USA Team CaptainThe Najdorf is the most popular line of the Sicilian Defence for a very good reason: Black can play for a win without taking undue risks. The Najdorf’s fundamental soundness has been confirmed in countless top-level games, and in particular by Garry Kasparov’s successful use of it throughout his career.White has tried a wide variety of approaches against the Najdorf, including quiet positional lines and the traditional main line with 6 Bg5. Recently the idea of a rapid kingside pawn advance has found favour. The Najdorf’s landscape changes rapidly, and this presents its devotees with a complex task: they must not only keep up-to-date with sharp theoretical lines, but must also have a firm grasp of the strategies that underpin the main systems, both old and new.This book lends a helping hand to those who play the Najdorf or wish to take up this complex opening. Two Najdorf experts from Spain present a flexible repertoire for Black, including a wealth of original analysis of the critical variations. They also explain the key ideas behind the Najdorf, focusing on those plans that are most relevant to modern practice.“If you are interested in taking up the Najdorf, I highly recommend this book if you are looking for a good reference that will let you learn the opening quickly and give you excellent winning chances to boot.” – Bill Whited, Chess CountryJulen Arizmendi is a Spanish grandmaster. He is an experienced writer, and part of Jaque and Teoria’s editorial staff. He represented his country at the 2002 Olympiad.Javier Moreno is a grandmaster from Spain who has worked with Anand and Shirov, and was a member of the Spanish Olympiad team in 2000. He has contributed to the magazines Jaque and Gambito.“Verdict: if the Najdorf is your defence, then you must have this book. Highly recommended.” – Phil Adams, 3Cs website“Mastering the Najdorf is an enjoyable work to read and study, whilst the theoretical coverage within is excellent. For those who already play the Najdorf, this new book does an excellent job of updating theory and of highlighting many important new ideas, whilst for those keen to take up one of Black’s best defences, this book comes highly recommended.” – IM Richard Palliser“The authors have clearly worked tirelessly to produce a sensible and intellectually accessible repertoire within the context of an exacting and highly theoretical opening system (not an easy task, I can assure you!). In achieving this end the authors strike a pleasing balance between theoretical and explanatory content ... A truly excellent book. ... To my mind, the real test of a great opening book is whether the reader can study a few chapters without getting bored, and then come out the other side with a definite desire to play the opening themselves. In my opinion, the authors pass with flying colours. Five stars.” – IM Eddie Dearing, Weekend Chess Read more