Caissa Codex
B65

Sicilian Defense: Richter-Rauzer Variation, Classical Variation 9…Nxd4 10. Qxd4

Chess diagram: Sicilian Defense: Richter-Rauzer Variation, Classical Variation after 10. Qxd4

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Statistics from Lichess

14,232 games: White 46.3% / Draw 7.6% / Black 46.2%

The moves played next. Pick one to see it on the board.
Next moveGamesWhite / Draw / BlackW / D / B
10,19710K
1,8401,840
1,0661,066
240240
150150
145145
133133
100100

Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 30, 2026

Engine evaluation

+0.62 White is slightly better

Best play: 10... Bd7 11. Bxf6 Bxf6 12. Qxd6 Bc6 13. Qxd8 Raxd8 14. Bb5 Bxc3 15. Bxc6

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 B65, Semi-Open Games) is a variation of the Sicilian Defense: Richter-Rauzer Variation, Rauzer Attack, reached after 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 Nc6 6. Bg5 e6 7. Qd2 Be7 8. O-O-O O-O 9. f4 Nxd4 10. Qxd4 (10 moves).

In 14,232 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 46.3%, Black 46.2% and 7.6% were drawn. Black's most played move here is 10…Qa5, in 72% of those games.

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How to answer 10. Qxd4

10…h6 scores best for Black: 53.1%, with Black winning 48.8% and White 42.5% of 1,840 games. The most played, 10…Qa5, scores 50.8% in 10K games, and 10…a6 scores lowest: 49.6%. Stockfish's first choice is 10…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, Classical Variation (B65)”. Lichess data as of 30 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/sicilian-defense-richter-rauzer-variation-classical-variation-4

https://chesscodex.org/openings/sicilian-defense-richter-rauzer-variation-classical-variation-4