  We investigate the zero temperature chiral phase transition in an SU(N) gauge
theory as the number of fermions $N_f$ is varied. We argue that there exists a
critical number of fermions $N_f^c$, above which there is no chiral symmetry
breaking or confinement, and below which both chiral symmetry breaking and
confinement set in. We estimate $N_f^c$ and discuss the nature of the phase
transition.
