Tree path 10 levels King's Pawn Game › Sicilian Defense › Sicilian Defense › Modern Variations › Sicilian Defense › Sicilian Defense › Modern Variations, Main Line › Sicilian Defense: Classical Variation › Sicilian Defense: Richter-Rauzer Variation › Sicilian Defense: Richter-Rauzer Variation
- Chess Codex
- King's Pawn Game B00
- Sicilian Defense B20
- Sicilian Defense B27
- Modern Variations B50
- Sicilian Defense B50
- Sicilian Defense B50
- Modern Variations, Main Line B54
- Sicilian Defense: Classical Variation B56
- Sicilian Defense: Richter-Rauzer Variation B60
- Sicilian Defense: Richter-Rauzer Variation B62 you are here
Sicilian Defense: Richter-Rauzer Variation
Overview
Sicilian Defense: Richter-Rauzer Variation is a named branch in the Semi-Open Games group of chess theory, classified under ECO B62.
The Semi-Open Games group covers semi-open games — replies to 1.e4 where Black declines the symmetrical 1…e5 in favour of an asymmetric pawn structure.
Play reaches this position via 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 Nc6 6. Bg5 e6, after 12 plies of opening development.
In the opening tree, this line branches off from Sicilian Defense: Richter-Rauzer Variation, part of the broader King's Pawn Game system.
4 named variations grow from this line, including Sicilian Defense: Richter-Rauzer Variation, Exchange Variation, Traditional Variation, and others.
In total, the branch covers 11 sub-variations across all depths.
Use the board to walk through every move, check how the position has scored on Lichess, or take it head-to-head against Stockfish.
- ECO code
- B62
- Group
- Semi-Open Games (B)
- Plies
- 12
- Direct variations
- 4
- Total in subtree
- 11
This overview is generated automatically from the opening's metadata. Know this line well? Write a description — submissions are reviewed before publishing.
Statistics from Lichess
527,381 games · White 47.5% / Draw 5.9% / Black 46.6%
| Moves | Games | W / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| Qd2 | 278,417 | |
| f4 | 75,720 | |
| Bb5 | 58,530 | |
| Be2 | 23,059 | |
| Nxc6 | 19,723 | |
| f3 | 17,609 | |
| Bc4 | 17,411 | |
| Qd3 | 16,297 |
Source: Lichess Opening Explorer · cached 2026-09-26 02:36:53
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Variations (4)
Show all 11 sub-variations (full subtree)
- B62 Sicilian Defense: Richter-Rauzer Variation 13-ply
- B62 Exchange Variation 13-ply
- B63 Traditional Variation 13-ply
- B62 Vitolins Variation 13-ply
- B63 Sicilian Defense: Richter-Rauzer Variation, Classical Variation 14-ply
- B63 Sicilian Defense: Richter-Rauzer Variation, Ivanov Variation 14-ply
- B66 Sicilian Defense: Richter-Rauzer Variation, Neo-Modern Variation, Early Deviations 14-ply
- B64 Sicilian Defense: Richter-Rauzer Variation, Classical Variation 17-ply
- B63 Kantscher Line 20-ply
- B65 Sicilian Defense: Richter-Rauzer Variation, Rauzer Attack 18-ply
- B65 Sicilian Defense: Richter-Rauzer Variation, Classical Variation 19-ply