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

Before the first move

The Richter-Rauzer is one of White's most aggressive answers to the Classical Sicilian. By pinning the knight on f6 and castling queenside, White signals an immediate intent to attack the kingside. As Black, you will counter-attack in the center and on the queenside, leading to some of the most complex and sharp positions in chess.

1. e4White

White starts with e4, the most popular opening move. By controlling d5 and f5, White prepares a rapid development of the kingside. You will have many ways to respond, but the Sicilian Defense is the most ambitious try for a win.

1... c5Black · your move

Move your pawn to c5 to enter the Sicilian Defense. This creates an asymmetrical struggle where you trade a flank pawn for White's central d-pawn later, giving you a semi-open c-file and excellent long-term winning chances.

Other paths here: f6 (Barnes Defense) · g5 (Borg Defense) · h6 (Carr Defense) · f5 (Duras Gambit)

2. Nf3White

White plays Nf3, the standard prelude to the Open Sicilian. White intends to open the center quickly. Other tries like the Alapin with c3 or the Grand Prix Attack with f4 lead to very different, more closed types of games.

Other paths here: Qg4 (Sicilian Defense: Amazon Attack) · Bc4 (Sicilian Defense: Bowdler Attack) · Nh3 (Sicilian Defense: Brick Variation) · g4 (Sicilian Defense: Grob Variation)

2... Nc6Black · your move

Bring your knight to c6. This develops a piece toward the center and puts immediate pressure on the d4 square. It keeps your options open regarding which pawn structure you will choose later.

Other paths here: f5 (Sicilian Defense: Brussels Gambit) · h6 (Sicilian Defense: Bücker Variation) · g6 (Sicilian Defense: Hyperaccelerated Dragon) · e5 (Sicilian Defense: Jalalabad Variation)

3. d4White

White plays d4, entering the Open Sicilian. This is the most critical test of Black's setup. White could also choose the Rossolimo Attack with Bb5, which avoids the main line theory and focuses on more positional maneuvering.

Other paths here: Bb5 (Sicilian Defense: Nyezhmetdinov-Rossolimo Attack) · b4 (Sicilian Defense: Portsmouth Gambit) · b3 (Sicilian: 2...Nc6 3.b3) · Bc4 (Sicilian: 2...Nc6 3.Bc4)

3... cxd4Black · your move

Capture the pawn on d4 with your c-pawn. This trade is the essence of the Sicilian: you give up a side pawn to remove White's central pawn, ensuring you have two central pawns against White's one for the endgame.

Other paths here: e6 (Sicilian Defense: Franco-Sicilian Variation)

4. Nxd4White

White recaptures with the knight, maintaining a centralized presence. This is the standard position for the knight in the Open Sicilian, though White must be careful as the knight can sometimes become a target for Black's minor pieces.

4... Nf6Black · your move

Develop your knight to f6, attacking the e4 pawn. This forces White to defend the center and prepares you for kingside development. It is a fundamental move in almost every Sicilian variation.

Other paths here: g6 (Sicilian Defense: Accelerated Dragon) · Qc7 (Sicilian Defense: Flohr Variation) · Qb6 (Sicilian Defense: Godiva Variation) · e5 (Sicilian Defense: Löwenthal Variation)

5. Nc3White

White plays Nc3, defending e4 and developing the last knight. This is the most solid and common response. White is now ready to develop the bishops and decide which side of the board to castle on.

5... d6Black · your move

Push your pawn to d6. This solidifies your control over e5 and opens the path for your light-squared bishop. You are now firmly in the Classical Sicilian, ready for a complex middlegame.

Other paths here: e5 (Sicilian Defense: Lasker-Pelikan Variation) · Qb6 (Sicilian: Open, 2...Nc6, 5...Qb6) · e6 (Sicilian - Four Knights Variation)

6. Bg5White

White plays Bg5, the sharpest way to meet the Classical Sicilian. By pinning the knight, White threatens to disrupt your pawn structure. Other systems like the Sozin with Bc4 or the Classical with Be2 lead to much calmer play.

Other paths here: Nde2 (Sicilian Defense: Spielmann Variation) · Bd3 (Sicilian Defense: Yates Variation) · Bc4 (Sicilian Defense: Sozin, not Scheveningen) · Be2 (Sicilian Defense, classical)

6... e6Black · your move

Push your pawn to e6. This move blunts the bishop on g5 and prepares for your own development. It is the most standard way to deal with the pin while reinforcing the d5 square.

Other paths here: g6 (Sicilian Defense: Richter-Rauzer Variation, Dragon Variation) · Bd7 (Sicilian Defense: Richter-Rauzer Variation, Modern Variation)

7. Qd2White

White plays Qd2, a key part of the Rauzer setup. White is preparing to castle queenside and launch an attack. The main alternative is Nb3, which is more positional and less common in modern high-level practice.

Other paths here: Nb3 (Sicilian Defense: Richter-Rauzer Variation, Podebrady Variation)

7... a6Black · your move

Push your pawn to a6. This is a vital prophylactic move that prevents White's knights or bishop from landing on b5. It also prepares for a future b5 pawn thrust to start your queenside counter-attack.

Other paths here: Be7 (Sicilian Defense: Richter-Rauzer Variation, Classical Variation)

8. O-O-OWhite

White castles queenside, setting the stage for a classic Sicilian battle of opposite-side castling. White will now look to push the kingside pawns, while you must find a way to generate threats against the White king on the other side.

8... Bd7Black · your move

Develop your bishop to d7. This completes your minor piece development and prepares to swing your rooks to the c-file. You are now ready to meet White's kingside storm with your own queenside pressure.

Where you stand

The stage is set for a fierce battle. White will likely push f4 and g4 to attack your kingside, while you will seek counterplay with b5 and Rc8. Precision is required for both sides; White must time the f4 break carefully, and Black must ensure the king finds safety, often by staying in the center or castling late.

• f2-f4 White prepares the f4 break to attack.
• g2-g4 White launches a kingside pawn storm.
• b7-b5 Black expands on the queenside for counterplay.
• a8-c8 Black places a rook on the c-file.
• f8-e7 Black develops the bishop to prepare castling.