Sicilian Defense: Richter-Rauzer Variation, Neo-Modern Variation, Nyezhmetdinov Attack (B69)

The Richter-Rauzer Variation, Neo-Modern Variation, Nyezhmetdinov Attack is a variation of the Sicilian Defense, catalogued as ECO B69. 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 9. f4 Be7 10. Nf3 b5 11. Bxf6, reaching the position shown below after 21 half-moves.

White holds the centre with pawns on e4. Development is level at three minor pieces each, and White is up three points of material. It is Black to move after 11 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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Sicilian Defense: Richter-Rauzer Variation, Neo-Modern Variation, Nyezhmetdinov Attack — position after Bxf6 a8b7c6d5e4f3g2h1
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 9. f4 Be7 10. Nf3 b5 11. Bxf6

Move order

#WhiteBlack
1e4c5
2Nf3Nc6
3d4cxd4
4Nxd4Nf6
5Nc3d6
6Bg5e6
7Qd2a6
8O-O-OBd7
9f4Be7
10Nf3b5
11Bxf6

ECO: B69

Stockfish: +0.33 at depth 18

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Position characteristics

Related Sicilian Defense lines

Frequently asked questions

What are the moves of the Richter-Rauzer Variation, Neo-Modern Variation, Nyezhmetdinov Attack?

The Richter-Rauzer Variation, Neo-Modern Variation, Nyezhmetdinov Attack 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 9. f4 Be7 10. Nf3 b5 11. Bxf6. It is a variation of the Sicilian Defense and is catalogued as ECO B69.

What is the ECO code for the Richter-Rauzer Variation, Neo-Modern Variation, Nyezhmetdinov Attack?

The Richter-Rauzer Variation, Neo-Modern Variation, Nyezhmetdinov Attack is ECO B69. ECO codes group openings by their move order, so nearby codes cover closely related lines of the Sicilian Defense.

Is the Richter-Rauzer Variation, Neo-Modern Variation, Nyezhmetdinov Attack good for White?

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 9. f4 Be7 10. Nf3 b5 11. Bxf6 at +0.33 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.

What kind of position does the Richter-Rauzer Variation, Neo-Modern Variation, Nyezhmetdinov Attack lead to?

White holds the centre with pawns on e4. Development is level at three minor pieces each, and White is up three points of material. It is Black to move. White has castled while Black’s king is still uncommitted.