ECO B62 · Sicilian Defense

Sicilian Defense: Richter-Rauzer Variation, Vitolins Variation

1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 Nc6 6. Bg5 e6 7. Bb5

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

7… Bd7+0.11

The position is roughly equal. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Sicilian Defense: Richter-Rauzer Variation, Vitolins Variation (B62), reached after 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 Nc6 6. Bg5 e6 7. Bb5, Stockfish 18 recommends 7… Bd7 for Black. The position is roughly equal (+0.11).

Top engine moves

  1. +0.117… Bd7 8. Qd3 Be7 9. O-O-O h6 10. Bh4 O-O 11. f3 Qc7 12. g4
  2. +0.317… Qb6 8. Be3 Qc7 9. Qe2 a6 10. Nxc6 bxc6 11. Ba4 Be7 12. O-O-O
  3. +0.567… Qc7 8. Bxf6 gxf6 9. Qh5 a6 10. Bxc6+ bxc6 11. O-O-O Bd7 12. f4

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Sicilian Defense: Richter-Rauzer Variation, Vitolins Variation?
After 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 Nc6 6. Bg5 e6 7. Bb5, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 7… Bd7 for Black, continuing 8. Qd3 Be7 9. O-O-O h6 10. Bh4 O-O 11. f3 Qc7 12. g4. The position is roughly equal (+0.11). The next best moves are 7… Qb6 (+0.31) and 7… Qc7 (+0.56).
Is the Sicilian Defense: Richter-Rauzer Variation, Vitolins Variation a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.11: the position is roughly equal. 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, Vitolins Variation?
B62. 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+).