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

Before the first move

The Richter-Rauzer is one of White's most aggressive attempts to dismantle the Sicilian Defense. By placing the bishop on g5, White prepares to castle queenside and launch a direct assault. You must balance solid central control with timely queenside expansion to survive the upcoming tactical storm.

1. e4White

White opens with e4, the king's pawn move. By controlling d5 and f5, White invites an open struggle. You have many ways to respond, but the Sicilian Defense is the most ambitious choice for those seeking to win with the black pieces.

1... c5Black · your move

Advance your pawn to c5. This is the Sicilian Defense, creating an immediate imbalance by fighting for the d4-square with a flank pawn. You are preparing to trade your c-pawn for White's d-pawn, giving you a central pawn majority.

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

2. Nf3White

White plays Nf3, the main line. This is much more common than the Bowdler Attack with Bc4 or the Keres Variation with Ne2. White is getting ready to open the center and put your d-pawn under immediate pressure.

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 and adds a second defender to the d4 and e5 squares. You are challenging White's plan to open the center and keeping your options open for several different Sicilian variations.

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, initiating the Open Sicilian. This is the most critical test. Alternatives like the Rossolimo with Bb5 or the Portsmouth Gambit with b4 lead to very different types of games, but this is the main highway.

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 essential to your strategy. You remove White's central pawn in exchange for your flank pawn, which eventually gives you better control over the center with your remaining d and e pawns.

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

4. Nxd4White

White recaptures with Nxd4. The position is now an Open Sicilian. White has more space and faster development, but you have the long-term advantage of having two central pawns against White's one.

4... Nf6Black · your move

Develop your other knight to f6. This move attacks the e4 pawn and prepares for kingside development. It is a dual-purpose move that forces White to defend the center before continuing their own development.

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 defends with Nc3. This is standard development. White maintains the central tension and prepares to develop the dark-squared bishop, usually to g5 or e3, depending on how you choose to set up your defense.

5... d6Black · your move

Push your d-pawn to d6. This move prevents White from pushing e5 and opens a path for your light-squared bishop. It solidifies your center and is a key component of the Classical Sicilian structure.

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 Richter-Rauzer. This is much more aggressive than the Classical Be2 or the Sozin Bc4. White wants to double your pawns on f6 and disrupt your kingside before you can get organized.

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

Move your pawn to e6. This blunts the pressure from the g5 bishop and prepares to develop your dark-squared bishop. It also creates a very solid 'small center' that is difficult for White to break through.

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

7. Qd2White

White plays Qd2, preparing to castle long. This is the main line. White could play Nb3 to avoid trades, but the queen move is the most direct way to coordinate the pieces for a kingside assault.

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

7... a6Black · your move

Push your pawn to a6. This is a prophylactic move that prevents White's knights or bishops from landing on b5. It also prepares for your own queenside expansion with b5, which is your main source of counterplay.

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

8. O-O-OWhite

White castles queenside. The battle lines are drawn. White will attack on the kingside, while you will look for chances on the queenside. This leads to some of the most exciting and sharpest positions in chess.

8... Bd7Black · your move

Develop your bishop to d7. This completes your queenside development and prepares to bring your rook to c8. By keeping the bishop here, you protect the c6 knight and keep your king's options open for later.

9. f4White

White plays f4, a thematic expansion. White is gaining space and preparing to roll the kingside pawns forward. You must be careful now, as the threat of e5 is becoming very real and dangerous.

9... Be7Black · your move

Move your bishop to e7. This finally breaks the pin on your f6 knight and prepares for kingside castling. It is a defensive necessity that also improves your piece coordination for the coming tactical battle.

10. Nf3White

White plays Nf3. This is a subtle regrouping move. By moving the knight back, White prepares for a long-term struggle and avoids any immediate trades on d4, keeping the maximum number of pieces on the board.

10... b5Black · your move

Launch your queenside expansion with b5. This is your primary counter-attacking plan. You are threatening to push b4 to kick the knight on c3 and opening lines for your queen and rooks against White's king.

11. Bxf6White

White plays Bxf6, a sharp tactical decision. White gives up the bishop pair to ruin your kingside pawns or force your bishop back. You'll have to decide whether to recapture with the pawn or the bishop.

Where you stand

The position is highly volatile. White has traded their dark-squared bishop to damage Black's structure, aiming for a kingside breakthrough with f5 or e5. Black must use the semi-open c-file and the b-pawn advance to create counter-threats against White's king. The battle will revolve around whether Black's bishop pair can compensate for the shattered pawns.

• g7-f6 Recapture on f6 to maintain the bishop pair.
• c6-e5 Anchor the knight on the strong e5 outpost.
• f4-f5 Push f5 to crack open the kingside.
• c1-b1 Move the king to safety on b1.
• d8-b6 Develop the queen to pressure the b2 pawn.