There are numerous move orders that reach the Scheveningen; a common one is: The seemingly modest d6–e6 pawn centre affords Black a solid defensive barrier, control of the critical d5 and e5 squares, and retains flexibility to break in the centre with either ...e5 or ...d5.

Black can proceed with rapid development, and the opening provides sound counterchances and considerable scope for creativity.

The variation first came to international attention during the 1923 chess tournament in the village Scheveningen at the North Sea coast near The Hague.

Previously moves like 6...Nc6 or 6...a6 were also recommended for Black but practical tests have shown that White's offensive is too dangerous to be ignored.

7...Nc6 8.Rg1 (diagram) and here Black has two main lines to choose from: both of which may give White a slight edge.

Used to great effect by Anatoly Karpov, among other distinguished grandmasters, this methodical approach has gained many followers.

Positional pawn sacrifices abound for both sides and the theory is very highly developed, thanks to decades of research by the most elite players such as Garry Kasparov, Vasily Smyslov, Anatoly Karpov, Viswanathan Anand, Veselin Topalov, Boris Gelfand and many others.

Many elite players including Alexander Morozevich, Peter Leko, and Alexei Shirov have poured many hours of study into this critical variation.

After 6.f4,[6] in one of the main lines, 6...Nc6 7.Be3 Be7 8.Qf3, White seeks to castle queenside placing his rook on the half-open d-file, and support the g-pawn's advance with the queen.

As the Keres Attack is feared more than 6.Bg5, the Najdorf move order is seen more at the highest level today.

This distinction is important in choosing books to study, as titles covering recent games will often leave out the ...a6 early line, which can still become quite interesting and complex, and still advantageous for Black, even with the powerful English Attack.