The Richter-Rauzer Variation, Neo-Modern Variation is a variation of the Sicilian Defense, catalogued as ECO B67. The line runs 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 d6 6. Bg5 e6 7. Qd2 a6 8. O-O-O Bd7, reaching the position shown below after 16 half-moves.
White holds the centre with pawns on e4. Development is level at three minor pieces each. It is White to move after eight moves. White has castled while Black’s king is still uncommitted.
On the Sicilian Defense generally: The most popular and aggressive response to 1.e4. Black fights for the center asymmetrically, leading to rich tactical play.
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The Richter-Rauzer Variation, Neo-Modern Variation goes 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 d6 6. Bg5 e6 7. Qd2 a6 8. O-O-O Bd7. It is a variation of the Sicilian Defense and is catalogued as ECO B67.
The Richter-Rauzer Variation, Neo-Modern Variation is ECO B67. ECO codes group openings by their move order, so nearby codes cover closely related lines of the Sicilian Defense.
Stockfish evaluates the position after 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 d6 6. Bg5 e6 7. Qd2 a6 8. O-O-O Bd7 at +0.49 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.
White holds the centre with pawns on e4. Development is level at three minor pieces each. It is White to move. White has castled while Black’s king is still uncommitted.