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Guided lesson · Intermediate · Openings

Najdorf: meeting ...e5

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You already know ...a6; now ...e5 attacks your d4-knight and leaves d5 without pawn protection. Compare Be3 and Be2: the knight can retreat to b3 in both, but development then differs. A hole on d5 does not let you occupy it without checking the defending pieces. Your king’s destination also matters: a pawn advance can alter its protection.

The key idea

Retreat the attacked knight to a useful square and develop according to your bishop’s placement; d5 is a target to prepare for.

Example 1 · Be3 and control of g4

Retreat the knight attacked by e5 to b3.

  1. Nb3 Retreat the knight attacked by e5 to b3.
  2. Be7 ...Be7 prepares castling without committing the rook yet.
  3. h3 h3 prevents ...Ng4 against your e3-bishop.
  4. h6 ...h6 controls g5; the next plan depends on where each king castles.

Example 2 · Be2 and kingside castling

Nb3 preserves the knight and clears d4.

  1. Nb3 Nb3 preserves the knight and clears d4.
  2. Be7 ...Be7 clears the way for kingside castling.
  3. O-O Castle: with the bishop on e2, the way is ready.
  4. O-O Both kings are on the same flank; assess d5 before launching pawns.

Practice

You play White. Practice two decisions from this line: Be3 and control of g4.

  1. You retreat the knight attacked by ...e5 and keep it for the central struggle. Which knight is attacked, and where can it retreat actively? Other sound continuations: Nf3. In this sequence practise Nb3; the others change the continuation.
  2. You control g4 with a pawn and prevent ...Ng4 from attacking the e3-bishop. There are several sound continuations: h3, f3. Choose one and check what remains to be developed.

Do not occupy d5 merely because no pawn defends it: count its defenders and coordinate your pieces first.