by Garry Kasparov
Studying and practicing the Najdorf teaches several qualities essential to progressing in chess, including fighting for initiative, playing defense and playing on a color of squares. GM Yannick Pelletier explains these concepts methodically.
The Sicilian Najdorf system enjoys a legendary reputation as a defensive weapon for Black. It’s an opening in which Black often strives for a full point, rather than simply defending the position. Many great players have contributed to the development of this complex opening. Two world champions spent a large part of their careers using this system as their weapon of choice against 1.e4: Bobby Fischer and Garry Kasparov enjoyed spectacular success with this opening.
Both champions used the Najdorf during their prodigious childhood years and retained it as an important part of their repertoire throughout their careers. For chess fans and professionals alike, it’s a great moment to see the world’s greatest expert share all the secrets of his favorite opening. In this video lesson, Garry Kasparov presents the different subsystems of the Najdorf, including the central variant of the “♟ poisoned”. But the “Baku Ogre” also devotes a chapter to the main lines against 6.♗g5 e6 7.f4. This includes the legendary Polugaevsky variation. The move 6.♗e3, now considered the main line of the Najdorf system, is also analyzed.
The development of each line is placed in historical perspective and examined in depth, with Kasparov’s characteristic intensity.
- Duration: over 9h!
- Extra: Database of games and training with ChessBase applications “Memorize Kasparov’s opening directory”.
