ECO B60 · Sicilian Defense

Sicilian Defense: Richter-Rauzer Variation

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 Nc6 6. Bg5

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Black to move. The arrow shows Stockfish’s best move.
Best move

6… e6+0.44

White is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Sicilian Defense: Richter-Rauzer Variation (B60), reached after 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 Nc6 6. Bg5, Stockfish 18 recommends 6… e6 for Black. White is slightly better (+0.44).

Top engine moves

  1. +0.446… e6 7. Qd2 a6 8. O-O-O Be7 9. Kb1 Nxd4 10. Qxd4 b5 11. e5
  2. +0.466… Bd7 7. Qd2 a6 8. O-O-O e6 9. Kb1 h6 10. Be3 b5 11. f3
  3. +0.566… a6 7. f4 Bd7 8. Nxc6 bxc6 9. e5 h6 10. Bxf6 gxf6 11. exf6

Other move orders

  • 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 Nc6 6. Bg5 e6
  • 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 Nc6 6. Bg5 e6 7. Qd3

Variations

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Sicilian Defense: Richter-Rauzer Variation?
After 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 Nc6 6. Bg5, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 6… e6 for Black, continuing 7. Qd2 a6 8. O-O-O Be7 9. Kb1 Nxd4 10. Qxd4 b5 11. e5. White is slightly better (+0.44). The next best moves are 6… Bd7 (+0.46) and 6… a6 (+0.56).
Is the Sicilian Defense: Richter-Rauzer Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.44: white is slightly better. Evaluations this early in the game are small, so practical results depend far more on knowing the plans and typical structures than on the engine's number.
What is the ECO code of the Sicilian Defense: Richter-Rauzer Variation?
B60. ECO codes classify chess openings from A00 to E99; B is the volume for semi-open games (other than the French).

Opening names from the Lichess opening book (CC0). Pieces by Colin M.L. Burnett (GPLv2+).