Chess Openings Lab
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Sicilian Defense: Najdorf Variation, Poisoned Pawn Accepted

The Poisoned Pawn Accepted is 7...Qb6 8.Qd2 Qxb2 9.Rb1 Qa3, where Black grabs the b2 pawn and keeps the queen on a3. White plays for a big lead in development and attack, while Black must defend accurately and keep the extra pawn.

Moves
1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.Bg5 e6 7.f4 Qb6 8.Qd2 Qxb2 9.Rb1 Qa3
ECO
B97
Engine
+0.38 · a slight edge for White (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
Played
37 games in our lichess sample
White scores
59.5%

Key ideas for both sides

White

  • 10.f5 is the engine's choice, opening lines with fxe6 and Bc4 against e6.
  • Use Be2 and castling for a slower buildup, then f5 to open the f-file.
  • Bxf6 gxf6 weakens Black's kingside, followed by Be2 and e5 ideas.
  • Keep the queen on d2 and rook on b1 to pressure the b-file and Black's queen.

Black

  • Answer f5 with ...Be7 and recapture ...Bxe6 to keep the center firm.
  • Develop ...Nbd7 and castle quickly to reduce White's attacking chances.
  • Use the queen on a3 to defend the queenside and watch c3 and e3.
  • Look for ...Nc6 trades to reduce White's attacking pieces.

Plans and pawn structure

Black's queen on a3 is out of play but holds an extra pawn. White's plan is to open lines with f5, then use Bc4 and the f-file against e6 and f7. Black must develop quickly with ...Be7, ...Nbd7 and castling, and avoid getting trapped on a3. In the Bxf6 lines, Black's pawns are broken but the bishop pair helps. The game is sharp, and one slip often decides the outcome.

Where the engine's main line heads: Scheveningen small center: Black pawns d6 and e6. The Scheveningen small center: Black pawns on d6 and e6 cover the central squares and wait for the right moment to break with ...d5 or ...e5.

What the engine plays from here

Stockfish 17.1 at depth 20 rates the position +0.38: a slight edge for White. Its three top choices for White:

  1. +0.38 10.f5 Be7 11.fxe6 Bxe6 12.Nxe6 fxe6
  2. −0.24 10.Be2 Nbd7 11.O-O Be7 12.f5 h6
  3. −0.30 10.Bxf6 gxf6 11.Be2 Nc6 12.Nxc6 bxc6

Pawns, from White's side.

How to play against it

As White, play 10.f5 and open lines quickly. Do not allow Black to consolidate with ...Nbd7 and ...Be7. As Black, defend precisely, develop fast and keep the queen safe.

Questions

What are the moves of the Sicilian Defense: Najdorf Variation, Poisoned Pawn Accepted?

The Sicilian Defense: Najdorf Variation, Poisoned Pawn Accepted starts 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 a6 6.Bg5 e6 7.f4 Qb6 8.Qd2 Qxb2 9.Rb1 Qa3. Its ECO code is B97.

Is the Sicilian Defense: Najdorf Variation, Poisoned Pawn Accepted good for Black?

Stockfish 17.1 rates the position +0.38 at depth 20, which is a slight edge for White. A razor-sharp line for players who know deep theory and enjoy defending, while White needs precise attacking play.

What is the main idea of the Sicilian Defense: Najdorf Variation, Poisoned Pawn Accepted?

Black grabs the b2 pawn with the queen and must survive White's attack. White gets fast development and open lines, while Black defends with ...Be7 and ...Nbd7.

What should White play next?

The engine's first choice is f5, with Be2 and Bxf6 close behind. 10.f5 opens lines toward e6 and f7, increasing White's attacking chances.

Updated October 2026. Sources and method.