The Richter Attack is a variation of the French, Classical Variation, catalogued as ECO C14. The line runs 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bg5 Be7 5. e5 Nfd7 6. Bxe7 Qxe7, reaching the position shown below after 12 half-moves.
Both sides have pawns in the centre (White on d4 and e5, Black on d5). Development is level at two minor pieces each. It is White to move after six moves.
On the French, Classical Variation generally: The classical approach to the French with 3...Nf6, directly challenging White's e4 pawn. Leads to the famous Steinitz, Burn, and McCutcheon variations.
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See all 8 French, Classical Variation variations →
The Richter Attack goes 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bg5 Be7 5. e5 Nfd7 6. Bxe7 Qxe7. It is a variation of the French, Classical Variation and is catalogued as ECO C14.
The Richter Attack is ECO C14. ECO codes group openings by their move order, so nearby codes cover closely related lines of the French, Classical Variation.
Stockfish evaluates the position after 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bg5 Be7 5. e5 Nfd7 6. Bxe7 Qxe7 at +0.35 at depth 18, which is a slight pull for White, within normal opening margins. Engine evaluation is only a starting point — at club level the practical value of a line is mostly about whether you know its plans better than your opponent does.
Both sides have pawns in the centre (White on d4 and e5, Black on d5). Development is level at two minor pieces each. It is White to move.