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Sicilian, Najdorf, Zagreb (Fianchetto) Variation (B91)
1 e4 c5 2 Nf3 d6 3 d4 cxd4 4 Nxd4 Nf6 5 Nc3 a6 6 g3

Number of games in database: 2507
Years covered: 1927 to 2025
Overall record:
   White wins 35.8%
   Black wins 29.6%
   Draws 34.6%

Popularity graph, by decade

Explore this opening  |  Search for sacrifices in this opening.
PRACTITIONERS
With the White Pieces With the Black Pieces
Ratmir Kholmov  50 games
Alexander Ivanov  44 games
Petar Popovic  41 games
Ian Nepomniachtchi  14 games
Alexey Sarana  13 games
Lubomir Ftacnik  12 games
NOTABLE GAMES [what is this?]
White Wins Black Wins
G Kieninger vs P Mross, 1941
Panov vs N Sorokin, 1953
Adams vs Giri, 2015
Matulovic vs Fischer, 1968
Svidler vs Khismatullin, 2015
Adams vs Topalov, 2005
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 page 1 of 101; games 1-25 of 2,507  PGN Download
Game  ResultMoves YearEvent/LocaleOpening
1. R Loman vs J van den Bosch 0-1331927Loman - Van den BoschB91 Sicilian, Najdorf, Zagreb (Fianchetto) Variation
2. Bogoljubov vs E Canal ½-½431929KarlsbadB91 Sicilian, Najdorf, Zagreb (Fianchetto) Variation
3. L Steiner vs W F Wertheim  1-0241939Steiner-Wertheim MatchB91 Sicilian, Najdorf, Zagreb (Fianchetto) Variation
4. O Kaila vs P Vaitonis  1-0371939HelsinkiB91 Sicilian, Najdorf, Zagreb (Fianchetto) Variation
5. G Wheatcroft vs G Thomas 0-1371939MargateB91 Sicilian, Najdorf, Zagreb (Fianchetto) Variation
6. G Kieninger vs P Mross 1-0141941MunichB91 Sicilian, Najdorf, Zagreb (Fianchetto) Variation
7. J Foltys vs K Opocensky  0-1361942Duras 60B91 Sicilian, Najdorf, Zagreb (Fianchetto) Variation
8. Tolush vs K Opocensky  1-0381946Leningrad-PragueB91 Sicilian, Najdorf, Zagreb (Fianchetto) Variation
9. Panov vs Kotov ½-½901946Moscow ChampionshipB91 Sicilian, Najdorf, Zagreb (Fianchetto) Variation
10. Yanofsky vs C Kottnauer 0-1611946GroningenB91 Sicilian, Najdorf, Zagreb (Fianchetto) Variation
11. Pilnik vs H Rossetto  ½-½621947La PlataB91 Sicilian, Najdorf, Zagreb (Fianchetto) Variation
12. A Prosdocimi vs M E de Freitas  ½-½641947Brazilian ChampionshipB91 Sicilian, Najdorf, Zagreb (Fianchetto) Variation
13. R G Wade vs H Avram  1-022194748th US OpenB91 Sicilian, Najdorf, Zagreb (Fianchetto) Variation
14. A Konstantinopolsky vs Dokshytsky  1-0301947Leningrad Trade Unions Team-chB91 Sicilian, Najdorf, Zagreb (Fianchetto) Variation
15. J Platt vs H Mueller  1-0321948Bad GasteinB91 Sicilian, Najdorf, Zagreb (Fianchetto) Variation
16. Tartakower vs O Troianescu 0-1791948Karlovy Vary / Marianske LazneB91 Sicilian, Najdorf, Zagreb (Fianchetto) Variation
17. S Rubinow vs A Suraci  1-0251948United States ChampionshipB91 Sicilian, Najdorf, Zagreb (Fianchetto) Variation
18. G Kieninger vs Niephaus 1-0191948Essen West German chB91 Sicilian, Najdorf, Zagreb (Fianchetto) Variation
19. S Puc vs K Opocensky  1-0391948Czechoslovakia - YugoslaviaB91 Sicilian, Najdorf, Zagreb (Fianchetto) Variation
20. J Enevoldsen vs Tartakower  1-0491948MatchB91 Sicilian, Najdorf, Zagreb (Fianchetto) Variation
21. A Fuderer vs S Vukovic  0-1331948Yugoslav Championship 1948/49B91 Sicilian, Najdorf, Zagreb (Fianchetto) Variation
22. Fine vs Najdorf 1-0441948New York 1948/49B91 Sicilian, Najdorf, Zagreb (Fianchetto) Variation
23. I A Horowitz vs Denker 1-0401949New York 1948/49B91 Sicilian, Najdorf, Zagreb (Fianchetto) Variation
24. V A Vasiliev vs M Lubensky  ½-½491949URS-ch sf TbilisiB91 Sicilian, Najdorf, Zagreb (Fianchetto) Variation
25. M Bonch-Osmolovsky vs M Beilin  0-1411949URS-ch sf MoscowB91 Sicilian, Najdorf, Zagreb (Fianchetto) Variation
 page 1 of 101; games 1-25 of 2,507  PGN Download
  REFINE SEARCH:   White wins (1-0) | Black wins (0-1) | Draws (1/2-1/2)  

Kibitzer's Corner
Apr-05-05  Backward Development: This line actually has quite a bit of poison. Black has to play accurately to hold the balance, and an unprepared player will typically go down shortly. This is an ideal line for blitz, as white's maneuvers are very similar for most lines, whilst black's are more complex. Here's how Moreno Carnero put it: <"...in general, theoreticians have not investigated this line deeply enough, probably because they consider it a minor line, and as result underestimate its real value. Many Najdorf specialists have experienced some problems due to this, mainly because they did not really know the dangers hidden in this scheme. This variation is not only strategically complex, but also a bit of transpositional chaos because many lines can be reached through different move orders.">
Jul-16-05  ArturoRivera: g3 sounds kind of gay against a Najdorf hahahaa
Jul-16-05  hintza: Gay? :S
Jul-16-05
Premium Chessgames Member
  tpstar: He means "happy" of course.

There's a stock trap here = 6. g3 Nc6 7. Bg2 e6 8. 0-0 Be7?! 9. Nxc6 bxc6 10. e5 Nd5 11. exd6 Bxd6 12. Ne4 and Black's Queenside Pawns are ruined. I pulled this all the time back when I played the Chameleon Sicilian (2. Nc3 & 3. Nge2).

Jul-16-05  aw1988: Chameleon Sicilian!?
Jul-16-05  hintza: I've never heard it called that before but I like the 2.Nc3 lines quite a bit.
Jul-16-05
Premium Chessgames Member
  tpstar: Many Americans are raised on the Soltis of Swing, who named it back in the 80s because White can play either Open or Closed depending on Black's set-up. But if Black chooses ... Bg7, there's usually no annoying Nd4 around. Let's just say it gives White a very playable game against the Sicilian.

T Palmer vs N M Abbasi, 1988

Jul-29-05  ArturoRivera: what can i do against this ugly move in the Najdorf: 1.-e4 c5 2.-Nf3 Nc6 3.-Nc3 d6 d4 cxd4 Nxd4 e5??
Jul-29-05  sitzkrieg: With Nc6 its no Najdorf it is after e5 more like the Kalashnikov or something. As i am not sure if that is the English name u d also check Pelikan or Boleslavski variations.

Najdorf is when black plays d6 and a6

Jul-29-05  sitzkrieg: Well thinking it over i don't know how to call this variant for sure, but it is no Najdorf.

U will have to use the "hole" on d5 as in most of those openings but i see no clear refutation..

Jul-29-05  ArturoRivera: Sorry, against the sicilian anywhay, how to fight it?
Jul-29-05  sitzkrieg: A good was is to start with c4, d4 or a move with a Knight.

Seriously i think you should play it like you play against the Shesnikov and other variations. I don't know if you know them but just put your knight on b3 or maybe f3 and then try to take control of d5 preventing d6-d5. Ideally place a knight there or when a pawn gets there use ur queenside majority in pawns. Black will probably strive for f5 so i guess u have to neutralize that or better hurry.

Then again u probably already knew all that:P

Sep-13-20  Isolani: Does anyone know why this variation is known as the Zagreb? I have not been able to find any information as to why it is called this.

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