ECO B63 · Sicilian Defense

Sicilian Defense: Richter-Rauzer Variation, Traditional Variation

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

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

7… a6+0.40

White is slightly better. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Sicilian Defense: Richter-Rauzer Variation, Traditional Variation (B63), reached after 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 Nc6 6. Bg5 e6 7. Qd2, Stockfish 18 recommends 7… a6 for Black. White is slightly better (+0.40).

Top engine moves

  1. +0.407… a6 8. O-O-O Bd7 9. f3 Be7 10. Kb1 Nxd4 11. Qxd4 Qc7 12. h4
  2. +0.437… Be7 8. O-O-O Nxd4 9. Qxd4 a6 10. Be2 Bd7 11. h4 O-O 12. Kb1
  3. +0.487… Nxd4 8. Qxd4 Be7 9. O-O-O O-O 10. h4 Bd7 11. f3 Qb8 12. Qe3

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Sicilian Defense: Richter-Rauzer Variation, Traditional Variation?
After 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 Nc6 6. Bg5 e6 7. Qd2, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 7… a6 for Black, continuing 8. O-O-O Bd7 9. f3 Be7 10. Kb1 Nxd4 11. Qxd4 Qc7 12. h4. White is slightly better (+0.40). The next best moves are 7… Be7 (+0.43) and 7… Nxd4 (+0.48).
Is the Sicilian Defense: Richter-Rauzer Variation, Traditional Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.40: 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, Traditional 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+).