Sicilian Defense: Najdorf Variation, Goteborg Variation
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Statistics from Lichess
16,987 games: White 41.9% / Draw 5.4% / Black 52.7%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 16,42016K | ||
| 312312 | ||
| 206206 | ||
| 3333 | ||
| 1111 | ||
| 11 | ||
| 11 | ||
| 11 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 30, 2026
Engine evaluation
+0.65 White is slightly better
Best play: 10. fxg5 hxg5 11. Bxg5 Nbd7 12. O-O-O Ne5 13. Qe2 Nxe4 14. Nxe4 Bxg5+
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
Sicilian Defense: Najdorf Variation, Goteborg Variation (ECO B98, Semi-Open Games) is a variation of the Sicilian Defense: Najdorf Variation, reached after 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Bg5 e6 7. f4 Be7 8. Qf3 h6 9. Bh4 g5 (9 moves).
In 16,987 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 41.9%, Black 52.7% and 5.4% were drawn. White's most played move here is 10. fxg5, in 97% of those games.
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Cite this page
Caissa Codex. “Sicilian Defense: Najdorf Variation, Goteborg Variation (B98)”. Lichess data as of 30 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/sicilian-defense-najdorf-variation-goteborg-variation