chessgames.com
Sicilian, Najdorf, Opocensky Variation (B92)
1 e4 c5 2 Nf3 d6 3 d4 cxd4 4 Nxd4 Nf6 5 Nc3 a6 6 Be2

Number of games in database: 2124
Years covered: 1931 to 2009
Overall record:
   White wins 32.3%
   Black wins 29.8%
   Draws 37.9%

Popularity graph, by decade

Explore this opening  |  Search for sacrifices in this opening.
PRACTITIONERS
With the White Pieces With the Black Pieces
Vitaly Tseshkovsky  46 games
Vlastimil Jansa  39 games
Efim Geller  31 games
Boris Gelfand  31 games
Nick DeFirmian  25 games
Walter Shawn Browne  22 games
NOTABLE GAMES [what is this?]
White Wins Black Wins
Keres vs Kotov, 1950
Short vs I Cheparinov, 2008
Karpov vs Polugaevsky, 1974
Unzicker vs Fischer, 1962
Yurtaev vs Carlsen, 2004
Pilnik vs Fischer, 1959
<< previous chapter next chapter >>

 page 1 of 85; games 1-25 of 2,124  PGN Download
Game  ResultMoves Year Event/LocaleOpening
1. Yates vs Noteboom  ½-½47 1931 Prague ol (Men)B92 Sicilian, Najdorf, Opocensky Variation
2. B Koch vs Noteboom  0-133 1931 Berlin ch-cityB92 Sicilian, Najdorf, Opocensky Variation
3. S Boros vs Z von Balla ½-½19 1935 Tatatovaros itB92 Sicilian, Najdorf, Opocensky Variation
4. F Bohatirchuk vs Ragozin  0-141 1935 Ch URSB92 Sicilian, Najdorf, Opocensky Variation
5. Stoltz vs K Junge ½-½50 1942 SalzburgB92 Sicilian, Najdorf, Opocensky Variation
6. P F Schmidt vs Stoltz  1-041 1942 Salzburg AUTB92 Sicilian, Najdorf, Opocensky Variation
7. Kashdan vs P Baker  1-020 1942 New York, NY USAB92 Sicilian, Najdorf, Opocensky Variation
8. Bronstein vs Opocensky ½-½31 1946 Prague (Czech Republic)B92 Sicilian, Najdorf, Opocensky Variation
9. K Forster vs Kupchik 0-131 1946 US Open prelimB92 Sicilian, Najdorf, Opocensky Variation
10. F Yerhoff vs Kupchik  0-141 1946 US Open Championship FinalB92 Sicilian, Najdorf, Opocensky Variation
11. Aronin vs Bronstein  1-051 1947 Ch MoscowB92 Sicilian, Najdorf, Opocensky Variation
12. Tolush vs Bronstein 0-1107 1947 Parnu itB92 Sicilian, Najdorf, Opocensky Variation
13. Cortlever vs C Kottnauer 1-047 1947 Team match NED-CZEB92 Sicilian, Najdorf, Opocensky Variation
14. K Galia vs C Kottnauer  0-135 1947 Schlechter memB92 Sicilian, Najdorf, Opocensky Variation
15. Kovacs vs C Kottnauer  0-128 1947 Schlechter memB92 Sicilian, Najdorf, Opocensky Variation
16. Bisguier vs Pilnik  ½-½40 1948 New Orleans-WchB92 Sicilian, Najdorf, Opocensky Variation
17. A Rico vs Najdorf 0-135 1948 ARGB92 Sicilian, Najdorf, Opocensky Variation
18. Randviir vs Ufimtsev  1-073 1949 Ch URS (1/2 final)B92 Sicilian, Najdorf, Opocensky Variation
19. Liublinsky vs Kholmov  0-164 1949 USSR ChampionshipB92 Sicilian, Najdorf, Opocensky Variation
20. E Paoli vs S Erdelyi  1-051 1949 Trencianske TepliceB92 Sicilian, Najdorf, Opocensky Variation
21. Ujtelky vs S Erdelyi  ½-½36 1949 Trencianske TepliceB92 Sicilian, Najdorf, Opocensky Variation
22. A Tarnowski vs Geller 0-172 1950 Schiavno ZdrojB92 Sicilian, Najdorf, Opocensky Variation
23. A Matanovic vs Ivkov  ½-½41 1950 BledB92 Sicilian, Najdorf, Opocensky Variation
24. Keres vs Kotov 1-027 1950 Budapest ct (18.04.50)B92 Sicilian, Najdorf, Opocensky Variation
25. Smyslov vs Najdorf 1-040 1950 BudapestB92 Sicilian, Najdorf, Opocensky Variation
 page 1 of 85; games 1-25 of 2,124  PGN Download
  REFINE SEARCH:   White wins (1-0) | Black wins (0-1) | Draws (1/2-1/2)  
 

Secrets of Opening Surprises

Kibitzer's Corner
< Earlier Kibitzing  · PAGE 2 OF 2 ·  Later Kibitzing >
Jun-09-05   InitiativeCheck: <bombthebishop> Look up the Smith-Morra Gambit if you are not afraid of giving some material away for the initiative. Yes, against strong players you may find yourself getting squeezed but there are plenty of chances to mix things up a bit with this great attack. e4 c5 d4 cxd4 c3!? dxc3 Nxc3
Jun-09-05   hintza: It really depends on what kind of position you are comfortable with. The Closed Sicilian is a decent option too.
Jun-09-05   bomb the bishop: <hintza> thankyou for responding.. to answer your question: I like more open positions with the iniciative wether it be with material disadvantage but with compensation, or not.. that is why I do not like the closed sicilian its a little too defensive for my taste, and it gives black an equal game to quickly however, there is a possibility that I am looking at it from a very negative perspective, If I am, then someone correct me, please
Jun-09-05   hintza: The Closed Sicilian usually leads to a slower, more postional game so it probably isn't suited to your style. 2.c3 or the Smith-Morra Gambit are probably your best options. You could also look into the Bb5 systems, for example 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.Bb5 (Rossolimo Variation) or 2...d6 3.Bb5+ (Canal-Sokolsky Attack / Moscow Variation).
Jun-09-05   bomb the bishop: very well, I will look into both of them, I have used the Canal-Sokolosky Attack in a national tournament and it did make me win the game I played it, so it is a possibility, thanks again
Jun-09-05   hintza: You're most welcome. There is also the Wing Gambit, 2.b4. I've never been sure what to make of that one though.
Jun-09-05   bomb the bishop: <hintza> Keres used it, succesfully against Eliskases in 1937 in a GM tournament however it is quite risky, Keres himself said that his oponent had a better position during most of the game, but he was lucky to find a brilliant combination that terminated the match and gave him a helpful win, it is too much a risk for me though, thanks
Jul-22-05
Premium Chessgames Member
  Robin01: I have always like e5 for black's sixth move here.
Jul-22-05
Premium Chessgames Member
  e4Newman: I've used ...e5 a fair bit myself in this and other similar positions. Sadly, it doesn't always work well for me :(
Jul-22-05   OneBadDog: In Emms Starting Out: The Sicilian, this line only has a 48% success rate for White.
Jul-22-05   hintza: <I have always like e5 for black's sixth move here.> Well 6...e6 transposes into the Scheveningen.
Jul-22-05   jamesmaskell: The Smith-Morra is covered in a fantastic book. Will track it down for you Monday from my local library, from its incredible 4 books! Its easy to learn in its main line but it has a number of variations. Give up a couple of pawns but be ahead in development is the idea behind it. I havent even learnt how to play the Sicilian properly but I know the Smith-Morra.

Another alternative is using the Maroczy Bind, but I know nadda about that.

Jul-22-05   hintza: <Maroczy Bind> You can only play that in certain positions though.
Jul-22-05   jamesmaskell: Its an option instead of the Smith Morra.
Jul-22-05   hintza: In what way is the Maroczy Bind system an option instead of 2.d4?
Aug-02-05
Premium Chessgames Member
  waddayaplay: I am convinced this is the most sound respons to the Najdorf. I think some day when the fuzz about the velimirovich attack has gone out, peaople will come back to this opening. The Opocensky variant promises white a solid and safe game without any great risks.

I base this on the records of Geller and Karpov, who have never lost a game with it according to this databse.

Aug-04-05   jamesmaskell: This variation has been having a fair amount of play this year.
Aug-02-06
Premium Chessgames Member
  gambitfan: What do you call the Velimirovic attack ?

Is it 6 Be3 ??

Aug-02-06
Premium Chessgames Member
  MaxxLange: The Velimirovic attack is a system against the classical Sicilian, where Black plays an early ....Nc6.

White's setup is Bc4, Be3, Qe2, 0-0-0, and g4, possibly prepared by Rhg1.

It's possible for White to play for the same kind of attack against the Najdorf Sicilian, but it's not quite the same thing.

6. Be3 is usually called the English Attack, I think.

Aug-09-06
Premium Chessgames Member
  gambitfan: What do you call the <classical> Sicilian ?
Jan-13-07   Solid DD: <gambitfan> the classical sicilian is listed under <Sicilian-Richter-Rauser>. Hope that helps.
Apr-18-07
Premium Chessgames Member
  WannaBe: Position after 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6 6. Be2 e5 7. Nf5 Bxf5 8. exf5


click for larger view

2 games was played, G Bertazzo vs N Pegoraro, 2001 and E Hintikka vs Mladen Gudyev, 1987 both with black winning the games.

I have not examined the 2 games in detail yet, but is the position 'weak' for white? Or behind on development? White's centre completely lacking of pawn?

Apr-18-07
Premium Chessgames Member
  KingG: <WannaBe> I'm not sure if White's position is that weak yet. Obviously in the long term Black's central pawns could give him the advantage. But for the time being Black is behind in develoment, and White's f-pawn could potentially be quite dangerous if White attacks on the K-side. White also has the two Bishops in a fairly open position.

Usually in the position after 7.Nf5?!, the simple 7...d5! is recommended, solving Black's opening problems, and giving him a comfortable game.

Jun-04-08   Xeroxx: Why is it called the "Opocensky Variation" he never seem to have played it?

Also its quite interesting that Geller never lost in this variation as white.

Jun-04-08   nescio: <Xeroxx: Why is it called the "Opocensky Variation"> Seems a misnomer to me. Probably because in the early 1940's Opocensky was a pioneer of the ...e5 Sicilian, which was subsequently taken up by Boleslavsky and Najdorf.

So Opocensky frequently got the above position with _Black_ and played here 6...e5 or 6...b5 and 7...e5.

Well, I suppose every variation has to have a name in chessgames.com's view.

< Earlier Kibitzing  · PAGE 2 OF 2 ·  Later Kibitzing >
NOTE: You need to pick a username and password to post a reply. Getting your account takes less than a minute, totally anonymous, and 100% free--plus, it entitles you to features otherwise unavailable. Pick your username now and join the chessgames community!
If you already have an account, you should login now.
Please observe our posting guidelines:
  1. No obscene, racist, sexist, or profane language.
  2. No spamming, advertising, or duplicating posts.
  3. No personal attacks against other users.
  4. Nothing in violation of United States law.
Blow the Whistle See something which violates our rules? Blow the whistle and inform an administrator.


NOTE: Keep all discussion on the topic of this page. This forum is for this specific opening and nothing else. If you want to discuss chess in general, or this site, you might try the Kibitzer's Café.
Messages posted by Chessgames members do not necessarily represent the views of Chessgames.com, its employees, or sponsors.


home | about | login | logout | F.A.Q. | your profile | preferences | Premium Membership | Kibitzer's Café | new kibitzing | chessforums | new games | Player Directory | World Chess Championships | Opening Explorer | Guess the Move | Game Collections | ChessBookie Game | Chessgames Challenge | Little ChessPartner | privacy notice | contact us
Copyright 2001-2009, Chessgames.com
Web design & database development by 20/20 Technologies