6 Comments
This next game is another look at the Fischer-Sozin variation with …a6 and …b5 of the Sicilian Defense played by Bruci Lopez at the USAT Playoffs. This time his opponent, FM Robby Adamson puts up a stronger showing, but still comes up short. Lopez plays virtually the same first sixteen moves for white and again demonstrates how white can build up and develop an attack against this Sicilian setup. In this game note how Black stays very cramped up and is never really able to utilize the space gained on the queenside. In both games one can see how black can never utilize the imbalances in the position for his benefit. The half open c-file is a moot point, and the space gained on the queenside did not disrupt white’s plans at all.
I think Chess Life is correct in that these games rightfully may draw some renewed interest in the Bc4 responses by white to the Najdorf Sicilian Defense. I plan on exploring some alternative ways for Black to play this position and would love to get any comment or feedback you have on this opening. Enjoy!
2 Comments
The July edition of Chess Life has some great coverage of the USAT Playoffs this month. A few games in particular struck my eye as excellent illustrations of how to the play the Fischer-Sozin (B87) variation of the Sicilian Defense. The games I want to analyze are by FM Bruci Lopez (2455), the strongest player in the playoffs. Lopez plays this opening twice with White and both times provides a textbook illustration of how White should use the initiative to build up an attack. Chess Life comments on Lopez’s success, “This game might attract new adherents to the Bc4 systems.”
This statement proves very interesting and has prompted my interest in this opening. According to Chessgames.com this version of the Sicilian Defense has waned in popularity since the 70’s. Lopez’s results are fairly impressive given the overall record for this opening:
White wins 34.2%
Black wins 36.0%
Draws 29.8%
2 Comments
The Najdorf variation of the Sicilian Defense is one of the most popular versions of the Sicilian Defense. This line was named after the Polish-Argentinian GM Miguel Najdorf, but owes its popularity to the late great Bobby Fischer. Both Fischer and Kasparov have played and created many Najdorf lines. One of the most popular being the Poisoned Pawn variation which Fischer utilized with great success.
The defining move in the Najdorf is 5. … a6 which comes after: 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3
This move has multiple purposes. First it prevents white from beginning the Keres Attack with g4. It also denies white’s bishop access to the b5 square. Had white been allowed Bb5, then he would probably end up being able to trade of this bishop for a knight or black’s light squared bishop. This situation would slightly favor white as he could then play to block in Black’s dark bishop and place a knight on d5.
After the move 5. … a6 there are a number of possible continuations. Most of these involve the following ideas for black: An early b5 advance, Bb7, Nd7 (sometimes followed by Nb6), Qc7 or Qb6 (as in the Poisoned Pawn variation), e6 or e5, Be7. Black often tries to utilize the central thrust d5 as well, breaking up white’s center.
An excellent example of this particular line of the Sicilian Defense is the infamous Fischer vs. Tal, at the 1959 Candidates Tournament which can be found here
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