The Richter Attack is a variation of the French, Classical Variation, catalogued as ECO C13. The line runs 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bg5 Be7 5. Bxf6, reaching the position shown below after 9 half-moves.
Both sides have pawns in the centre (White on d4 and e4, Black on d5), and one pawn capture is available, so the structure has not settled yet. Development is level at two minor pieces each, and White is up three points of material. It is Black to move after five 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.
You can play through this variation move by move in your browser — Learn mode walks the line with an explanation at each step, and Drill mode replays it from memory so you find out whether you actually know it. No account is required.
See all 8 French, Classical Variation variations →
The Richter Attack goes 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. Nc3 Nf6 4. Bg5 Be7 5. Bxf6. It is a variation of the French, Classical Variation and is catalogued as ECO C13.
The Richter Attack is ECO C13. 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. Bxf6 at -0.17 at depth 18, which is balanced. 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 e4, Black on d5), and one pawn capture is available, so the structure has not settled yet. Development is level at two minor pieces each, and White is up three points of material. It is Black to move.