Sicilian Defense, Najdorf Variation, English Attack

The English Attack begins with 6.Be3 against the Najdorf. Black has played ...a6 to control b5 and prepare expansion on the queen's side. White moves the bishop that began on c1 to e3 and commonly follows with f3, Qd2, and queenside castling, which places the king on c1 and the a1-rook on d1. The setup resembles the Yugoslav Attack, but Black's pawn arrangement is different and requires its own calculation.

With one king on c1 and the other on g8, meaning opposite sides of the board, White often advances g4 and h4 to open lines toward Black's king. Black answers with ...b5, brings pieces into play quickly, and pressures the queen's side. A pawn storm does not mean pushing pawns without preparation: each move should control more squares, dislodge a piece, or help open a file for the queen and rooks.

Two common central structures

• With ...e5, Black drives the d4-knight away and controls central squares, but d5 becomes an important target.
• With ...e6, Black adopts a Scheveningen-like structure and keeps firmer control of d5.
• The choice changes knight routes, attacking timing, and the correct way to react in the center.

The English Attack is a framework of plans, not a forced sequence. If White chooses 6.Bg5 and allows Black's queen to take on b2, play enters the Poisoned Pawn Variation, a different and much more concrete branch.