Library/Openings/Sicilian Defense/Najdorf Variation/Polugaevsky Variation ECO B96
Opening· 14 plies

Sicilian Defense: Najdorf Variation, Polugaevsky Variation

An entry in the Encyclopedia of Chess Openings (ECO B96), reached after 14 half-moves: 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Bg5 e6 7. f4 b5.

Sicilian Defense: Najdorf Variation, Polugaevsky Variation ECO B96
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Black rook
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Black bishop
Black queen
Black king
Black bishop
Black rook
Black pawn
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Black pawn
Black knight
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White bishop
White knight
White pawn
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White knight
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White rook
White queen
White king
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White rook
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About this opening

Sicilian Defense: Najdorf Variation, Polugaevsky Variation is an opening in the Encyclopedia of Chess Openings, classified under code B96. ECO group B (B00–B99) covers semi-open games (1.e4 with Black playing anything other than 1…e5), with the Sicilian, French, Caro-Kann and Pirc/Modern at its heart. This particular variation is reached after 14 half-moves from the starting position, with the move sequence 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Bg5 e6 7. f4 b5.

It belongs to the Sicilian Defense family. Within that family this is a level-2 branch (the Najdorf Variation → Polugaevsky Variation line). The immediate parent line is Sicilian Defense: Najdorf Variation, transitioned via 7…b5.

The opening sequence in prose form: 1.e4 c5, 2.Nf3 d6, 3.d4 cxd4, 4.Nxd4 Nf6, 5.Nc3 a6, 6.Bg5 e6. From this position exactly one named continuation is recorded in the encyclopaedia.