Tree path 13 levels King's Pawn Game › Sicilian Defense › Sicilian Defense › Modern Variations › Sicilian Defense › Sicilian Defense › Modern Variations, Main Line › Sicilian Defense: Najdorf Variation › Sicilian Defense: Najdorf Variation › Sicilian Defense: Najdorf Variation › Sicilian Defense: Najdorf Variation › Sicilian Defense: Najdorf Variation › Goteborg Variation

B98

Sicilian Defense: Najdorf Variation, Goteborg Variation

Open in Lichess

Play from here → Click pieces to play, or use ← / → arrows.

Overview

Sicilian Defense: Najdorf Variation, Goteborg Variation is a specific line in the Semi-Open Games family (ECO B98), arising from a recognised theoretical position.

The Semi-Open Games group covers semi-open games — replies to 1.e4 where Black declines the symmetrical 1…e5 in favour of an asymmetric pawn structure.

It begins with 18 plies and takes 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 to reach the canonical position.

The line refines Sicilian Defense: Najdorf Variation, which traces back to the root opening King's Pawn Game.

Explore the position on the interactive board, study its real-world results from Lichess, and challenge the engine when you are ready.

ECO code: B98
Group: Semi-Open Games (B)
Plies: 18
Parent: Sicilian Defense: Najdorf Variation

This overview is generated automatically from the opening's metadata. Know this line well? Write a description — submissions are reviewed before publishing.

Statistics from Lichess

16,987 games · White 41.9% / Draw 5.4% / Black 52.7%

Moves	Games	W / D / B
fxg5	16,420
Bf2	312
Bg3	206
e5	33
f5	11
Nxe6	1
Qh3	1
Qf2	1

Source: Lichess Opening Explorer · cached 2026-09-26 03:19:20

Write a description

Markdown supported (headings ###, bold, lists, links). Submissions are reviewed before publishing.

Overview

Statistics from Lichess

Related variations at the same level