Najdorf: English Attack 6.Be3 is variation 1 of 6 in the The Open Sicilian for White course, a advanced opening course for White (ECO B90). It runs 27 moves and begins 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 …. Against the Najdorf White sets up the bishop on e3, the queen on d2 and long castling. Then the f-pawn and the g-pawn march against Black's king. In the lesson every move is explained on a board and then drilled; it is free.
Move by move
1. e4 – White takes the centre and frees the queen and the f1 bishop.
1... c5 – The Sicilian. Black fights for d4 from the side and keeps the game unbalanced.
2. Nf3 – The knight develops and prepares d4. This is the road to the Open Sicilian.
2... d6 – Black covers e5 and prepares to develop the king's knight.
3. d4 – The Open Sicilian. White opens the centre at once to use the lead in development.
3... cxd4 – Black takes. Black gives a wing pawn for a centre pawn and gets the half-open c-file.
4. Nxd4 – White takes back and gets a strong knight in the centre.
4... Nf6 – Black develops and attacks e4.
5. Nc3 – The simplest answer. The knight guards e4 and develops.
5... a6 – The Najdorf. Black takes b5 away from White's knights and bishop.
6. Be3 – The English Attack. The bishop guards d4 and b6. White wants the queen on d2, long castling and a pawn storm.
6... e5 – The main reply. Black kicks the knight and grabs space, but the d5 square gets weaker.
7. Nb3 – The knight steps back to b3, away from tricks on d4.
7... Be6 – Black's bishop fights for d5.
8. f3 – White guards e4 and prepares the g-pawn push.
8... Be7 – Black develops and gets ready to castle.
The lesson goes on for 11 more moves, each with its explanation.
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