Sicilian Defense: Najdorf Variation, Neo-Classical Defense
Play any move on the board to explore from there, or step through the line with ‹ › and the arrow keys.
Statistics from Lichess
41,298 games: White 46.2% / Draw 5.1% / Black 48.7%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 17,51318K | ||
| 10,21410K | ||
| 4,8684,868 | ||
| 1,8891,889 | ||
| 1,8241,824 | ||
| 1,7171,717 | ||
| 912912 | ||
| 852852 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 30, 2026
Engine evaluation
+1.08 White is better
Best play: 8. Nxc6 bxc6 9. e5 h6 10. Bh4 g5 11. fxg5 Nd7 12. exd6 hxg5
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
Sicilian Defense: Najdorf Variation, Neo-Classical Defense (ECO B96, 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 Nc6 (7 moves).
In 41,298 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 46.2%, Black 48.7% and 5.1% were drawn. White's most played move here is 8. Nxc6, in 42% of those games.
Written from the Lichess opening list and explorer. Know this line well? Write about it.
Write a description or report a mistake
How to play against the Sicilian Defense: Najdorf Variation, Neo-Classical Defense
The most played answer, 8. Nxc6, also scores best for White: 51.6%, with White winning 49.0% and Black 45.9% of 18K games. Of the main answers, 8. Qd2 scores lowest: 48.0%. Stockfish's first choice is also 8. Nxc6.
Main answers: those played in at least 5% of these games. Score: White's wins plus half the draws, in rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500. How to play against other popular openings
Cite this page
Caissa Codex. “Sicilian Defense: Najdorf Variation, Neo-Classical Defense (B96)”. Lichess data as of 30 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/sicilian-defense-najdorf-variation-neo-classical-defense