Chess Codex
Tree path 12 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 › Neo-Classical Defense
  1. Chess Codex
  2. King's Pawn Game B00
  3. Sicilian Defense B20
  4. Sicilian Defense B27
  5. Modern Variations B50
  6. Sicilian Defense B50
  7. Sicilian Defense B50
  8. Modern Variations, Main Line B54
  9. Sicilian Defense: Najdorf Variation B90
  10. Sicilian Defense: Najdorf Variation B94
  11. Sicilian Defense: Najdorf Variation B95
  12. Sicilian Defense: Najdorf Variation B96
  13. Neo-Classical Defense B96 you are here
B96

Sicilian Defense: Najdorf Variation, Neo-Classical Defense

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Overview

Sicilian Defense: Najdorf Variation, Neo-Classical Defense is a named branch in the Semi-Open Games group of chess theory, classified under ECO B96.

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 is reached after 14 plies of play, with the move sequence 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Bg5 e6 7. f4 Nc6.

In the opening tree, this line branches off from Sicilian Defense: Najdorf Variation, part of the broader King's Pawn Game system.

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ECO code
B96
Group
Semi-Open Games (B)
Plies
14
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

41,298 games · White 46.2% / Draw 5.1% / Black 48.7%

MovesGamesW / D / B
Nxc617,513
Qd210,214
Nb34,868
Bc41,889
Qf31,824
Be21,717
Nf3912
e5852

Source: Lichess Opening Explorer · cached 2026-09-26 02:56:21

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Related variations at the same level

Sister lines that share the same parent Sicilian Defense: Najdorf Variation:

https://chesscodex.org/openings/sicilian-defense-najdorf-variation-neo-classical-defense