ECO B63 · Sicilian Defense

Sicilian Defense: Richter-Rauzer Variation, Ivanov Variation

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 Nc6 6. Bg5 e6 7. Qd2 Qb6

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

8. Nb3+0.48

White is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Sicilian Defense: Richter-Rauzer Variation, Ivanov Variation (B63), reached after 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 Nc6 6. Bg5 e6 7. Qd2 Qb6, Stockfish 18 recommends 8. Nb3 for White. White is slightly better (+0.48).

Top engine moves

  1. +0.488. Nb3 Be7 9. O-O-O O-O 10. Kb1 d5 11. exd5 Nxd5 12. Nxd5 exd5
  2. +0.318. Be3 Qxb2 9. Rb1 Qa3 10. Bb5 Bd7 11. Bd3 a6 12. Rxb7 Be7
  3. +0.288. Bxf6 gxf6 9. Nb3 Bd7 10. Nb5 Rc8 11. f4 a6 12. Nc3 h5

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Sicilian Defense: Richter-Rauzer Variation, Ivanov Variation?
After 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 Nc6 6. Bg5 e6 7. Qd2 Qb6, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 8. Nb3 for White, continuing Be7 9. O-O-O O-O 10. Kb1 d5 11. exd5 Nxd5 12. Nxd5 exd5. White is slightly better (+0.48). The next best moves are 8. Be3 (+0.31) and 8. Bxf6 (+0.28).
Is the Sicilian Defense: Richter-Rauzer Variation, Ivanov Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.48: 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, Ivanov Variation?
B63. 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+).