Caissa Codex
B63

Sicilian Defense: Richter-Rauzer Variation, Classical Variation, Kantscher Line

Chess diagram: Sicilian Defense: Richter-Rauzer Variation, Classical Variation, Kantscher Line after 10…b5

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Statistics from Lichess

2,366 games: White 45.4% / Draw 7.0% / Black 47.6%

The moves played next. Pick one to see it on the board.
Next moveGamesWhite / Draw / BlackW / D / B
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310310
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131131
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3030

Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Nov 8, 2026

Engine evaluation

+0.75 White is better

Best play: 11. Bxf6 gxf6 12. Kb1 Qc7 13. f5 Qc5 14. Qd2 Bb7 15. Bd3 O-O-O

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, Kantscher Line (ECO B63, Semi-Open Games) is a variation of the Sicilian Defense: Richter-Rauzer Variation, Classical Variation, 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 Nxd4 9. Qxd4 a6 10. f4 b5 (10 moves).

In 2,366 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 45.4%, Black 47.6% and 7.0% were drawn. White's most played move here is 11. e5, in 36% of those games.

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How to play against the Sicilian Defense: Richter-Rauzer Variation, Classical Variation, Kantscher Line

11. Be2 scores best for White: 55.2%, with White winning 51.9% and Black 41.6% of 310 games. The most played answer, 11. e5, scores lowest: 42.0% in 845 games. Stockfish's first choice is 11. Bxf6.

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

Other lines from the same position

Instead of 8. O-O-O Nxd4 9. Qxd4 a6 10. f4 b5, the position after Sicilian Defense: Richter-Rauzer Variation, Classical Variation also goes on to:

Cite this page

Caissa Codex. “Sicilian Defense: Richter-Rauzer Variation, Classical Variation, Kantscher Line (B63)”. Lichess data as of 8 Nov 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/sicilian-defense-richter-rauzer-variation-classical-variation-kantscher-line

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