"The Best Defense is a Strong Offense!" - Captain James T. Kirk of the Starship USS Enterprise(NCC1701).   This is something that all of us think about from time to time.  When White opens with the King Pawn what should we respond with as Black?  The purpose here is not to teach how to play chess - none of my blogs will ever attempt to do that - but to discuss choosing a strong opening.  Some study their opponent first and then try using an opening they think will be unknown or a new variation or line to surprise and gain some kind of an initial advantage either positionally or even mentally!  Some try to steer the opening into a position (transpose or transposition) that they are personally comfortable and familiar with.  Others attempt to execute a trap in the opening to catch their opponent off guard - this is just plain shabby chess and is to be deplored!  There are many known openings to choose from, but which should we choose: English, Ruy Lopez, Sicilian, an old opening that our opponent may not know, or free-form it(just follow opening theory and develop a position hoping for the best in the middlegame)?  Some like to develop a hedgehog position safe and secure and wait for White's attack to come.  This player's opinion is the same as the quote with which this blog began.  There have been a number of articles, blogs and videos on this site from the community in recent weeks concerning the pros and cons of two of the openings mentioned above the Ruy Lopez and the Sicilian Defense. Some have suggested that the Ruy is a quiet positional game (NOT SO! This only happens if you let it!).  The Sicilian on the other hand it has been suggested is maybe dying out and comming to an end (AGAIN, NOT SO!! ABSOLUTELY, NO!!!)!  This player has heard all this before for years!    In this blogger's opinion Black's ultimate weapon against White's King Pawn opening is the Sicilian Defense hands down!    The Sicilian has many good, strong variations and lines to choose from with plenty of sound analysis to back them up: the "Dragon" with it's fianchetto of Black's King Bishop early in the opening can be like a double edged sword (actually the same can be said of the Sicilian itself!) it cuts both ways, and of course the Najdorf - a stroke of pure genius!  There are many older variations and lines of play for those who want to revisit or explore something that may have been forgotten.  This defense is not for whimps to play!  It signals a strong battle will take place with sharp tactical piece play and bright combinations depending on the player's mindsets. If played correctly, Black should win in this blogger's opinion based on years of over-the-board experience with the Sicilian playing it and against it!  If you enjoy sitting on the edge of your seat excitement, and are not affraid to take some chances, and like the mental challenges of the unfolding positional geometry this game affords, then the Najdorf Variation of the Sicilian Defense is for you!  The main strategy of the Sicilian has always been to try to balance White's Kingside attacking capabilities against Black's Queenside counterplay, but the position is fluid & highly dynamic geometrically and it is very hard to keep the balance - inbalance quite often is the rule and not the exception!  Does that make you feel uneasy?  It's like trying to walk a fine line - the very best type of chess game, unless you want to "exercise the better part of valor" and retreat to fight again another day (i.e.- run and hide!).  Next time you play as Black try it and see!  You will not be disappointed, I promise you!  First, click on the following link for more information from Chess.com: www.chess.com/opening/eco/B90_Sicilian_Defense_Najdorf_Variation  and then, see the basic examples below:  -  ChessPaladin2009 

                                            Najdorf Variation

                                            Accelerated Dragon