Sicilian Defense - Najdorf, English Attack

One of the best defenses black has against e4 is the Sicilian defense. It also happens to be one the most complicated and tactical variations of all of the defenses that black could choose. Some of the many variations of this defense are the Najdorf, Dragon, Classical, Scheveningen and the Accelerated dragon variations, just to name a few.

Here is a terrific video that explains the Najdorf variation of Sicilian defense. (The ECO code for the Sicilian Defense Najdorf is B90.)

Winning Chess Tactics Leading To Checkmate

Speaking with many beginner to intermediate level players, I hear the area they want the most help with is chess tactics. One can memorize an opening and study the reasons behind the opening moves but once a players gets into the middle game they are more, "on their own" than they are in the opening. And coming up with a plan or finding winning moves such as tactics are not something one can memorize.

This is why studying chess puzzles is often seen as one of the most helpful things a player can do to improve their ability to see tactics for themselves. Puzzles help with pattern recognition, meaning that even though you probably won't see a position in one of your games that will match a tactic or puzzle you studied, it will look familiar enough that it will help you determine what to play.

Here is a very nice chess tactics video that show a number of ways this particular game could have been won. Can you find the combinations that win?