Sicilian Defense: Najdorf Variation, Polugaevsky Variation
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Statistics from Lichess
50,242 games: White 45.7% / Draw 4.3% / Black 50.0%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 22,02322K | ||
| 17,24217K | ||
| 5,8845,884 | ||
| 2,1572,157 | ||
| 1,1281,128 | ||
| 427427 | ||
| 392392 | ||
| 269269 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 30, 2026
Engine evaluation
+0.73 White is better
Best play: 8. e5 dxe5 9. fxe5 Qc7 10. exf6 Qe5+ 11. Be2 Qxg5 12. O-O Ra7
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
Sicilian Defense: Najdorf Variation, Polugaevsky Variation (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 b5 (7 moves).
In 50,242 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 45.7%, Black 50.0% and 4.3% were drawn. White's most played move here is 8. Qf3, in 44% of those games.
It continues into one named variation, Sicilian Defense: Najdorf Variation, Polugaevsky Variation, Simagin Line.
Written from the Lichess opening list and explorer. Know this line well? Write about it.
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How to play against the Sicilian Defense: Najdorf Variation, Polugaevsky Variation
8. e5 scores best for White: 50.7%, with White winning 48.4% and Black 47.0% of 17K games. The most played, 8. Qf3, scores 46.2% in 22K games, and 8. a3 scores lowest: 45.4%. Stockfish's first choice is also 8. e5.
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
Variations (1)
Cite this page
Caissa Codex. “Sicilian Defense: Najdorf Variation, Polugaevsky Variation (B96)”. Lichess data as of 30 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/sicilian-defense-najdorf-variation-polugaevsky-variation