Sicilian Defense: Richter-Rauzer Variation 6…e6 7. Qd3
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Statistics from Lichess
16,580 games: White 51.6% / Draw 6.4% / Black 41.9%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 7,2777,277 | ||
| 5,3885,388 | ||
| 2,4382,438 | ||
| 559559 | ||
| 375375 | ||
| 240240 | ||
| 176176 | ||
| 6565 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Nov 2, 2026
Engine evaluation
+0.27 The position is about equal
Best play: 7... Bd7 8. Ndb5 Nb4 9. Qd1 a6 10. Bxf6 gxf6 11. a3 axb5 12. axb4
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
Sicilian Defense: Richter-Rauzer Variation (ECO B62, Semi-Open Games) is a variation of the Sicilian Defense: Richter-Rauzer Variation, reached after 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 Nc6 6. Bg5 e6 7. Qd3 (7 moves).
In 16,580 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 51.6%, Black 41.9% and 6.4% were drawn. Black's most played move here is 7…Be7, in 44% of those games.
Written from the Lichess opening list and explorer. Know this line well? Write about it.
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How to answer 7. Qd3
7…Bd7 scores best for Black: 46.5%, with Black winning 42.5% and White 49.6% of 2,438 games. The most played, 7…Be7, scores 45.4% in 7,277 games, and 7…a6 scores lowest: 45.2%. Stockfish's first choice is also 7…Bd7.
Main answers: those played in at least 5% of these games. Score: Black's wins plus half the draws, in rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500. How to play against other popular openings
Cite this page
Caissa Codex. “Sicilian Defense: Richter-Rauzer Variation (B62)”. Lichess data as of 2 Nov 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/sicilian-defense-richter-rauzer-variation-3