ECO B67 · Sicilian Defense

Sicilian Defense: Richter-Rauzer Variation, Neo-Modern Variation

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

abcdefgh87654321
White to move. The arrow shows Stockfish’s best move.
Best move

9. f3+0.44

White is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Sicilian Defense: Richter-Rauzer Variation, Neo-Modern Variation (B67), reached 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, Stockfish 18 recommends 9. f3 for White. White is slightly better (+0.44).

Top engine moves

  1. +0.449. f3 Be7 10. Be3 Nxd4 11. Bxd4 b5 12. Kb1 e5 13. Be3 Rc8
  2. +0.439. h4 h6 10. Be3 Ng4 11. Nxc6 bxc6 12. f4 Nxe3 13. Qxe3 Be7
  3. +0.439. Kb1 Be7 10. f3 Nxd4 11. Qxd4 b5 12. g4 O-O 13. Be3 Qa5

Other move orders

  • 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

Variations

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Sicilian Defense: Richter-Rauzer Variation, Neo-Modern Variation?
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, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 9. f3 for White, continuing Be7 10. Be3 Nxd4 11. Bxd4 b5 12. Kb1 e5 13. Be3 Rc8. White is slightly better (+0.44). The next best moves are 9. h4 (+0.43) and 9. Kb1 (+0.43).
Is the Sicilian Defense: Richter-Rauzer Variation, Neo-Modern 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, Neo-Modern Variation?
B67. 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+).