Sicilian Defense: Richter-Rauzer Variation, Classical Variation 9. f4 e5
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Statistics from Lichess
760 games: White 55.3% / Draw 6.6% / Black 38.2%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 261261 | ||
| 185185 | ||
| 101101 | ||
| 8484 | ||
| 7171 | ||
| 3131 | ||
| 2323 | ||
| 44 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Sep 26, 2026
Engine evaluation
+1.08 White is better
Best play: 10. Nf5 Bxf5 11. exf5 Qa5 12. Bc4 Nd4 13. Kb1 Nxf5 14. Qd3 Rac8
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
Sicilian Defense: Richter-Rauzer Variation, Classical Variation (ECO B64, Semi-Open Games) is a variation of the Sicilian Defense: Open, reached after 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 d6 6. Bg5 e6 7. Qd2 Be7 8. O-O-O O-O 9. f4 e5 (9 moves).
In 760 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 55.3%, Black 38.2% and 6.6% were drawn. White's most played move here is 10. Nxc6, in 34% of those games.
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How to answer 9…e5
10. Nf5 scores best for White: 65.9%, with White winning 63.8% and Black 31.9% of 185 games. The most played, 10. Nxc6, scores 55.0% in 261 games, and 10. Ndb5 scores lowest: 54.5%. Stockfish's first choice is also 10. Nf5.
Main answers: those played in at least 5% of these games. Score: White's wins plus half the draws, in rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500. How to play against other popular openings
Transpositions
Cite this page
Caissa Codex. “Sicilian Defense: Richter-Rauzer Variation, Classical Variation (B64)”. Lichess data as of 26 Sep 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/sicilian-defense-richter-rauzer-variation-classical-variation-3