Anti- London - Chess Opening Theory

 Conquer the London System:
Learn Powerful Anti-London Strategies!

Do you struggle against the ever-popular 1.d4 London System opening?

Feeling lost in a sea of white pawns?
Dive into free Chessable courses packed with actionable lines, explore insightful articles that expose the London System's weaknesses, and train your tactical vision with interactive studies.
 Gain invaluable insights from top chess instructors through video masterclasses,
 and witness practical applications in analyzed games.

  Fret no more! This page is your one-stop shop for everything Anti-London System.

 We've curated a comprehensive collection of resources designed to equip you with the knowledge and tools to dismantle the London System and emerge victorious.

Books (Courses) (FREE)

 

Agadmator's Anti-London System  -  Free Chessable Course -  40 Trainable Variations

Short & Sweet: Anti-London System - Free Chessable Course - 18 Trainable Lines w/ 48 min Video - FM Viktor Neustroev (2252 FIDE)

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Anti-London Articles

 

The Anti-Anti-London System  - FM Ingvar Thor Johannesson  - Like the Title says, Chess.com Article about how to bust many of the Anti-Londons Played. Especially Agadmantor's. 
(Pretty Interesting and worth a read, some tricky lines played by white that can give you a really bad position out of the gate if you just blindly play some of these Anti-Londons)

Tricky Chess Opening Against the London System – Every Move Is A TRAP! - Remote Chess Academy Article - GM Igor Smirnov   

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Anti-London LiChess Studies

 

Gothamchess: Beat (Agadmator's) Anti-London  -  11 Chapter Study (The Anti-Anti-London)
ANTI⚔️ LONDON👌 GAMBIT🔥 - 23 Chapter Study - Black makes a  Crazy 3... g5 Gambit.
Anti-London | Crazy Knight Attack  - 16 Chapter Study  (1800 Hearts)
Anti-London System Lines  - 9 Chapter Study  (Study at Top of Page)

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Anti-London Videos

Anti-London

Beat the London System! - 62 Min - ChessGoals - Beat the London system for Nimzo-Indian and Queen's Indian Defense players! If you like to play e6, this is the course for you. (New - 5/29/24)

Want To Crush The London System?  - 32 min - Gotham Chess

3 Secret Rare Lines to Beat the London System  - 17 Min - Johnathan Schrantz

How to beat the London System at any level  - 14 Min - IM Alex Banzea

The ABSOLUTE BEST Way to Beat the London for Nf6 Players - 25 Min - ArcG3

Beat The London System! || Learn The Ultimate Defense - 32 min - agadmantor

Learn two weapons against the London System in 10 minutes  - 10 Min - Chessbase India

An aggressive anti-London system for club players - 16 Min - The Bristol Chess Times

NEVER FEAR The London Again! FULL GM-Analysis 6... cxd4 - 45 Min - GM Jesper Thybo (New)

IM Minh Le

A repertoire for Black against the London System : The introduction and some nasty traps - 11 Min 
A repertoire for Black against the London System ( Part 2): Minor Lines - 12 Min
A repertoire for Black against the London System ( Part 3): The tricky and complex line 3.d5 - 13 Min

IM Christof  Sielecki

Fight the London System with Black Pt 1 - ...d5 Setups (Queens Gambit) - 22 Min
Fight the London System with Black Pt 2 - ...Nf6,g6 Setups (Kings Indian, Grunfeld) - 15 Min
Fight the London System with Black Pt 3 - ...Nf6 e6 Setups (Nimzo, Queens Indian) - 16 Min
Fight the London System with Black Pt 4 - London vs. other moves (1...d6,g6,f5,e6) - 18 Min

Game Videos (w/analysis)

Master Class | Defeating The London System | Chess Speedrun | Grandmaster Naroditsky  - 28 Min
Catching the London off Guard With QB6!! | The Sensei Speedrun | GM Naroditsky - 31 Min
The Anti-London Game Every Chess Player Should Know - 17 Min - IM Rosen
Get London Players Out of Their Comfort Zone  - 20 Min - Johnathan Schrantz

Bishops Bounty London Page - Here  

 

Update to Gambit Pages (New Videos) (June 2023)

 Albin Counter Gambit Page - Albin Counter Gambit Here

Opening Guides
Master the Brutal Albin Counter-Gambit - Chess Opening Guide  - 30 Min
Crush The Queen's Gambit - An Aggressive Countergambit  -  14 Min - NM Nelson Lopez

Guides Against
Annoying Openings: How to Beat the Albin Counter Gambit - 16 Min - Chessdawg
How to Easily Defeat The Albin Counter Gambit!! - 20 Min - IM Miodrag Perunovic
Crush Albin Counter-Gambit - 33 Min - The Chessworld

Game Videos (w/analysis)
Holy Gambit Grail #11: Albin Countergambit   - 12 Min  - Johnathan Schrantz

Benko Gambit (Volga) Page -  Benko Gambit Page Here

Guide
The Benko Gambit: Lecture by GM Ben Finegold - 54 Min

Guides Against
THE BEST Opening For Black Against 1.d4 | Benko Gambit | Chess Opening Explained - 14 Min - Coach Kestony
Crush The Benko Gambit with White!! - 31 Min - IM Miodrag Perunovic (The Butcher)

Game Videos (w/analysis)
Taking Down the Benko Gambit!! | The Sensei Speedrun | GM Naroditsky - 36 Min
Magnus Carlsen DESTROYS Prodigy Gukesh D with the Benko Gambit - 5 Min
Magnus Carlsen Plays Benko Gambit Against Grandmaster Arthur Kogan - 6 Min
Dealing with the Benko Gambit · Training Game - 46 min - Hanging Pawns
Shakhriyar Crushing the Benko Gambit - 9 Min


Budapest Gambit Page - Budapest Gambit Page Here

Guide
The simplest chess opening for Black || Budapest Gambit - 15 Min 

Guides Against
Good Opening For Black Against 1.d4 - Budapest Gambit - 16 Min - Coach Kestony
Alekhine Variation to CRUSH the Budapest Gambit - 17 Min - Chess Geek

Game Videos (w/analysis)
Holy Gambit Grail #12: Budapest Gambit - 8 Min - Johnathan Schrantz

Conquer the King's Gambit with the Falkbeer Countergambit (C31)

 Master this Aggressive Chess Opening - Expert Resources at Your Fingertips

New to chess openings?

The King's Gambit is a popular but risky strategy for White. The Falkbeer Countergambit (C31) is Black's aggressive response, aiming to exploit weaknesses and turn the tables!

This curated page equips you with everything you need to master the Falkbeer Countergambit, with links to articles, puzzles, videos, and game analysis – all from trusted sources.

Falkbeer Wikipedia Page

In this aggressive Countergambit, Black disdains the pawn offered as a sacrifice, instead opening the centre to exploit White's weakness on the kingside. 

The Falkbeer Countergambit is a chess opening that begins:

1. e4 e5   2. f4 d5 

 Bishop's Bounty King's Gambit Page

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Books (Free)

Internet Archive
Boris Aldermans Gambit Guide  - Part 1 - 30 Min , Part 2  - 34 Min  (Both Falkbeer Counter Gambit Videos Found here)

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Falkbeer Counter Gambit Articles

Delve into the exciting world of the Falkbeer Countergambit with these in-depth articles:

Falkbeer Counter Gambit: A Comprehensive Opening Guide  - This Chess Journal guide equips you with a strategic roadmap to mastering the Falkbeer Countergambit.

Ernst Karl Falkbeer and his countergambit  - ChessBase takes you on a historical journey exploring the origins of the gambit and analyzing exemplary games.

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Falkbeer LiChess Studies

Sharpen your tactical vision and master the Falkbeer Countergambit with interactive LiChess studies:

How to counter the King's Gambit  - 6 Chapter Study -This interactive study on Lichess guides you through key themes, tactics, and strategic ideas in the Falkbeer Countergambit.

Falkbeer Countergambit  - 6 Chapter Study

What are LiChess Studies?

LiChess Studies are a fantastic, free resource for chess players of all levels. They're interactive training tools that allow you to explore chess concepts, tactics, and opening lines move-by-move. You can test your understanding, analyze variations, and receive feedback as you progress through the study.

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Game Databases

Explore a vast collection of Falkbeer Countergambit games to enhance your strategic understanding:

Chess Tempo

King's Gambit, Falkbeer Countergambit, Accepted (C31)  - 918 Games - Chess Tempo offers a user-friendly interface to explore 918 Falkbeer Countergambit games. You can sort by rating, opening line, or other criteria to find games that match your learning goals.

Chessgames.com

King's Gambit Declined, Falkbeer Counter Gambit (C31) 1 e4 e5 2 f4 d5 - 939 Games - Can also filter for Annotated Games

365Chess.com

C31: King's Gambit Declined, Falkbeer counter-gambit 1. e4 e5 2. f4 d5 - 2859 Games - Dive deep into a massive collection of 2859 Falkbeer Countergambit games on 365Chess.com. This database allows you to filter and explore a wide range of games to suit your needs.

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Puzzles (Tactics)

Test your tactical skills and sharpen your vision for exploiting weaknesses in the King's Gambit with these Falkbeer Countergambit puzzles:

wtHarvey.com

Falkbeer Counter Gambit (ECO C31) - 5 Puzzles - Get started with a focused set of 5 puzzles from wtHarvey.com to solidify core tactical concepts in the Falkbeer Countergambit.

LiChess Openings Puzzles

FalkBeer Countergambit - 1647 Puzzles - Deepen your understanding with a massive collection specifically targeting the Falkbeer Countergambit on Lichess Openings.

King's Gambit Declined - Falkbeer Countergambit Accepted - 325 Puzzles - Focus on the accepted line with this set of 325 puzzles from Lichess Openings, honing your ability to punish inaccuracies after White accepts the pawn sacrifice.

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Falkbeer Counter Gambit Videos

Falkbeer Countergambit | King’s Gambit Opening Theory - 20 Min - Hanging Pawns - This video dives into the exciting world of the Falkbeer Countergambit, a response to the King's Gambit that offers aggressive possibilities for Black. Learn how Black challenges White's center with a pawn sacrifice (d5) and disrupts their opening plans. The video explores the main lines arising from this move, including lines with Nf3, Nc6, and gambit continuations.

King’s Gambit Declined | Falkbeer Countergambit | Mainlines, Plans & Strategies | Chess Openings - 25 Min IM Ostrovsk - Delve deeper with video on the main lines, plans, and strategies employed in the Falkbeer Countergambit, equipping you for complex positions.

Refute the King's Gambit as Black | Falkbeer Countergambit: Tricky Opening - 20 Min - Remote Chess Academy - Learn how to exploit common mistakes in the King's Gambit and punish your opponent with the Falkbeer Countergambit.

Falkbeer Counter Gambit Chess Traps

Bizarre Opening Trap: Falkbeer Countergambit - 7 Min - IM Eric Rosen -Sharpen your tactical vision with IM Eric Rosen as he unveils surprising traps you can spring in the Falkbeer Countergambit.

Game Videos (w/Analysis)

Falkbeer Counter Gambit - Chess Opening - 16 Video Playlist - Immerse yourself in a series of 16 video analyses of Falkbeer Countergambit games by kingscrusher, learning from the play of masters.

Keres Plays King's Gambit, His Opponent Answers With Falkbeer Countergambit - 7 Min - Watch a historical game where chess legend Paul Keres faces the Falkbeer Countergambit.

Must See! King's Gambit Against Mikhail Tal Himself  - 7 Min - Witness a thrilling encounter where White plays the King's Gambit against the legendary Mikhail Tal, who responds with the Falkbeer Countergambit.
Learn more about Mikhail Tal: Great Chess Players of the Past - Tal

Crushing the Kings Gambit with Falkbeer Counter Gambit | 14 moves | Punishing Opening Blunders - 6 Min - Enjoy a quick and exciting video demonstrating how to punish inaccuracies in the King's Gambit with the Falkbeer Countergambit.

 

"He who fears a pawn down in the King's Gambit should not play chess." - Adolf Anderssen

Sicilian Defence, Najdorf Variation B90 - B99 - Opening Theory

 

Explore the Najdorf:
 Free Resources & Insights 

A Dynamic Powerhouse:

The Sicilian Najdorf (1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 a6) is renowned for its aggressive possibilities and sharp tactical battles. This dynamic opening choice has been a weapon of choice for many legendary chess grandmasters, including Bobby Fischer and Garry Kasparov, who wielded it to dominate their opponents. (Learn more about the history and variations on Wikipedia: Sicilian Defence, Najdorf Variation Wikipedia page.)

Are you seeking an opening that injects fire into your chess games? Do you crave sharp positions brimming with tactical possibilities? Then look no further than the Sicilian Najdorf! This exciting and challenging opening offers a path to victory for players who relish dynamic battles and outsmarting their opponents.

Empower Your Chess Journey:

This comprehensive guide equips you with a treasure trove of free Sicilian Najdorf chess resources, articles, annotated games, video lessons, and strategic insights. Whether you're a seasoned player seeking to refine your Najdorf repertoire or a newcomer eager to explore its potential, this collection offers valuable tools to elevate your chess game.

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BOOKS (Free)

Internet Archive

500 Sicilian Miniatures Collection II by Bill Wall - 109 Page PDF

How to Beat the Sicilian Defence - 352 page PDF

FREE Chessable Courses

Short & Sweet: Giri's Najdorf Sicilian - 24 Trainable lines w/44 Min Free video

Short & Sweet: Colovic's Najdorf Sicilian  - 20 Trainable Lines w/ 50 Min Free Video

Short & Sweet: Cheparinov's Najdorf Sicilian  - 19 Trainable Lines w/ 57 Min Free Video

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Najdorf  Chess ARTICLES

SICILIAN NAJDORF  - Chess Pathways Article w/embedded Video

Chess Opening Basics: The Najdorf Sicilian  - Chessable Blog Opening Guide

Sicilian Najdorf – How to Play, Attack & Counter as White & Black - Chessable blog Opening Guide

Sicilian Najdorf – How to Play, Attack and Counter - Chess Klub Opening Guide w/ Video

How to Play the Sicilian Najdorf   -  RagChess Guide

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Najdorf LiChess Studies

Getting Started with Lichess Studies:

New to Lichess studies? These interactive tools function like digital chess books, guiding you through Najdorf variations with explanations and challenges. 

• The Sicilian Najdorf Variation - 5 Chapter Study (1000+ hearts)    This user-favored study (indicated by "hearts") provides a solid introduction to main Najdorf variations with concise explanations.
  
  
• Sicilian Najdorf  - 8 Chapter Study  Variations w/ a pawn Structure lesson
  
  
• The Sicilian Defense, Najdorf Variation 6. Be2  - 9 Chapter Study  - This study explores the "I don't want Fireworks Variation" with clear analysis, making it suitable for players seeking a more positional approach.
  
  
• The Sicilian Najdorf   - 10 Chapter study  (700+ hearts) (Well Done with an interactive chapter)
  
  
• VERY DETAILED! Sicilian Defense: Najdorf  - 8 Chapter Study - This study lives up to its name, offering in-depth explanations for a deeper understanding.
  
  
• Sicilian Najdorf Repertoire  - 38 Chapter Study (1600+ Hearts) Considered the "Gold Standard" on Lichess, this comprehensive study covers themes, lines, and analyzed games.

Additional Resources:

NEW - Lichess Openings Page  - Sicilian Defense: Najdorf Variation 
Lichess now offers a dedicated Najdorf page with variations, win/loss statistics, and board diagrams for further exploration.

LiStudy (LiChess Movetrainer)

• Sicilian defence, Najdorf variation  -  33 Chapter Fully Interactive Study
  
  
• Najdorf Black   - 27 Chapter Fully Interactive Study
  
  
• A Comprehensive Najdorf Repetoire (Nearly)  - 8 Chapter interactive study - This interactive study draws from St. Louis Chess Club lectures, offering a well-structured approach.

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Game Databases

Analyze real-life games featuring the Najdorf and see how it's played in practice.

365Chess.com

• Sicilian Defence, Najdorf Variation B90 - B99  - Page with Links to the 10 Variations

Chess Tempo

• Sicilian Defense, Najdorf Variation (B90-99)   -  62,000 Games
  

Chessgames.com (Collections)

• Sicilian Najdorf 6.Be2 [White] - 17 Games (All White Wins)
• Najdorf Variation. Adams Attack - 19 Games
• Sicilian: Najdorf. 7. ...Be7 B99 [Black] - (All Black Wins)

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Sharpen Your Najdorf Tactics: Puzzles and Training

Test your tactical vision in the Najdorf with these resources:

Chess Puzzles by Bill Harvey (wtharvey.com):

Sicilian, Najdorf (ECO B90)  -   25 Puzzles
Sicilian, Najdorf, Zagreb (Fianchetto) Variation (ECO B91)  - 21 puzzles
Sicilian, Najdorf, Opocensky Variation (ECO B92)  - 25 Puzzles
Sicilian, Najdorf, 6.f4 (ECO B93)  - 25 Puzzles
Sicilian, Najdorf 6.Bg5 (ECO B94)  -  9 Puzzles
Sicilian, Najdorf, 6...e6 (ECO B95)  - 10 Puzzles
Sicilian, Najdorf 7.f4 (ECO B96)  - 10 puzzles
Sicilian, Najdorf 7...Qb6 (ECO B97)  - 10 Puzzles
Sicilian, Najdorf 7...Be7 (ECO B98) - 10 puzzles
Sicilian, Najdorf, 7...Be7 Main line (ECO B99)  - 11 Puzzles


Lichess Najdorf Puzzles: Dive into a vast pool of Najdorf puzzles (over 7300!) on Lichess to solidify your tactical understanding.

SicilianNajdorf Variation  - 7300 Puzzles

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Najdorf Video Lessons

Dive deep into Najdorf  Video playlists

Playlists

• Najdorf Sicilian - 18 video playlist - FM James Canty III - Learn key Najdorf concepts and variations through games and analysis
  
  
• Sicilian Najdorf  -  46 video playlist  - Chessbase India - Explore the Najdorf in depth with a comprehensive video playlist by Chessbase India, featuring games and instructional content.
  
  
• Najdorf Sicilian - 11 Video playlist - Robert Plunketts Chess Lab - Master the Najdorf with a focused 10-video series . (all lessons dedicated to the Najdorf).

Lessons

GM Neiksans Boot Camp #21 - Sicilian Najdorf for Black - 3.5 Hrs -  Gain valuable insights from GM Neiksans on playing the Najdorf effectively as Black.

6th Move Options Against Najdorf TIER LIST | GM Moulthun Ly  - 20 Min -Demystify White's options after 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 with GM Moulthun Ly's tier list (20 minutes).

How to Play the Sicilian Najdorf - Chess Openings Explained  - 47 min  St.Louis CC -Master the "Cadillac" of openings with St. Louis Chess Club's video guide, delving into the Najdorf and the English Attack.
 
Falling in love with the Sicilian Najdorf with GM Daniel King - 1.5 hr  Chessbase India - In this session he will explain to you the key concepts of the opening and tell you as to how he fell in love with the Sicilian Najdorf!
Learn the 6.Bg5 Najdorf! | Prepare Like A Pro - GM Josh Sheng  - 52 min - Prepare for the aggressive 6.Bg5 line in the Najdorf 

NM Caleb Denby

• Learn the Najdorf: 6.Be2 | Chess Openings Explained Pt 1  - 66 Min - Deep dive into the 6.Be2 (Opocensky) variation of the Najdorf with two comprehensive videos by NM Caleb Denby (total 122 minutes).
• Learn the Najdorf: More 6.Be2 | Chess Openings Explained  Pt 2  - 56 Min 
• Learn the Najdorf: Fischer–Sozin Attack #1 | Chess Openings Explained Pt 3 - 60 min - Master the attacking Fischer-Sozin (6.Bc4) variation with NM Caleb Denby's two-part video series (total 115 minutes).
• Learn the Najdorf: Fischer–Sozin Attack #2 | Chess Openings Explained Pt 4 - 55 Min 
• Learn the Najdorf: English Attack 1 | Chess Openings Explained Pt 5 - 41 Min - learn about the English Attack or the Byrne Attack, the modern main line with 6.Be3.
• Learn the Najdorf: English Attack | Chess Openings Explained Pt 6   - 63 Min - learn more about the English Attack (also known as the Byrne Attack), or 6.Be3.
• Learn the Najdorf: The Poisoned Pawn | Chess Openings Explained Pt 7 - 63 Min - learn about the main line 6.Bg5.
• Learn the Najdorf: More 6.Bg5 | Chess Openings Explained Pt 8  - 69 Min - learn more about the main line 6.Bg5.

White Against Najdorf

• Crush the Sicilian Najdorf the Easy Way with the Classical Variation | Chess Opening Blueprint - 38Min - johnathan Schrantz -  a simple recipe to take down the most popular variation of the Sicilian Defense.
• GM Neiksans Boot Camp #3 - Anti Najdorf  - 2 Hr -  Discover alternative strategies against the Najdorf with GM Neiksans, emphasizing positional play and offbeat lines (2 hours).
  
  
• Anti-Najdorf Part - 1 by GM Igor Smirnov - 17 Min -  Learn a unique anti-Najdorf approach with GM Igor Smirnov, focusing on 5.f3 and exploiting Black's weaknesses with e5
  
  
• Anti-Najdorf Part - 2 by GM Igor Smirnov  - 22 Min - focusing on the main move e5 and its implications. He explains the strategic weaknesses this move creates for black and outlines white’s approach to exploiting them.
  
  
• Play the Sicilian: Najdorf #1 | Chess and Psychology - IM Dorsa Derakhshani - 66 Min - Explore effective ways to combat the Najdorf as White with IM Dorsa Derakhshani's video series 
  
  
• Play the Sicilian: Najdorf #2 | Chess and Psychology - IM Dorsa Derakhshani - 57 min - favorite ways to play against the Sicilian Defense with White. This is her second and final hour on the Najdorf, specifically lines from 6.Be3.
• Najdorf Structures | Mastering the Middlegame - WGM Tatev Abrahamyan - 42 min- the Najdorf Sicilian as white to the middlegame structure it creates. See three of her games and try to find the best moves along the way.
  
  
• CRUSH the Najdorf with the FISCHER ATTACK: Five WINNING Ideas Explained - 23 Min - GM Jose Gonzalez - We'll explore five winning ideas explained in detail, from powerful tactics to smart positional play. (New 6/29/2024)

Sicilian Najdorf  Traps and Tactics

• Chess Tactics in The Sicilian Najdorf 💣 GM Niclas Huschenbeth [80/20 Tactics]  - 26 Min - Elevate your tactical vision in the Najdorf with GM Niclas Huschenbeth's masterclass.
  
  
• Dirty Chess Tricks against Sicilian defense - 2 (Najdorf Variation)  - 13 Min -Uncover some sneaky tactical opportunities for White against the Najdorf.
  
  
• Webinar: Explosive Tactics 💣 for Black in the Sicilian Najdorf - GM Rafael Leitao - 55 min -Master the aggressive possibilities for Black in the Najdorf with GM Rafael Leitao's exploration of tactical themes 

Najdorf Game Videos -  (W/ Analysis)

Sicilian Defence: Najdorf   -  232 Video playlist - kingscrusher - This extensive playlist by Kingscrusher offers a treasure trove of Najdorf games for your viewing pleasure.


Kasparov's Masterpiece in Sicilian Najdorf  -  14 min  - GM Igor Smirnov

Kasparov CRUSHES 😲 Anand with the Sicilian Najdorf (Anand vs Garry Kasparov) - 33 Min

The Deadly Najdorf in 2021 | Understanding Practical Chess - FM Thalia Cervantes - 53 Min -  tours games from the online 2021 Magnus Carlsen Invitational where the Najdorf was played.

 Anish Giri teaches the Sicilian Najdorf  - 2hr  - Chessbase india   Nice Video in Playlist - How did his lines impact the final standings of Tata Steel Masters 2021? In this video we discuss all the Najdorf games from the tournament with the man himself.

 Najdorf by Dorsa | Chess Openings Explained - IM Dorsa Derakhshani - 52 min - shares two of her Najdorf games against fellow Saint Louis University students Benjamin Bok and Robby Kevlishvili.

"The hardest game to win is a won game." - José Raúl Capablanca