Caissa Codex
B63

Sicilian Defense: Richter-Rauzer Variation, Ivanov Variation

Chess diagram: Sicilian Defense: Richter-Rauzer Variation, Ivanov Variation after 7…Qb6

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Statistics from Lichess

3,735 games: White 48.3% / Draw 6.4% / Black 45.3%

The moves played next. Pick one to see it on the board.
Next moveGamesWhite / Draw / BlackW / D / B
1,7341,734
997997
514514
209209
189189
4848
3232
22

Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 31, 2026

Engine evaluation

+0.56 White is slightly better

Best play: 8. Nb3 Be7 9. O-O-O O-O 10. Kb1 Rd8 11. Be2 d5 12. Bxf6 Bxf6

Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.

Overview

Sicilian Defense: Richter-Rauzer Variation, Ivanov Variation (ECO B63, Semi-Open Games) is a variation of the Sicilian Defense: Richter-Rauzer Variation, Traditional Variation, reached after 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 Nc6 6. Bg5 e6 7. Qd2 Qb6 (7 moves).

In 3,735 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 48.3%, Black 45.3% and 6.4% were drawn. White's most played move here is 8. Nb3, in 46% of those games.

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How to play against the Sicilian Defense: Richter-Rauzer Variation, Ivanov Variation

8. Nxc6 scores best for White: 53.1%, with White winning 51.7% and Black 45.5% of 209 games. The most played, 8. Nb3, scores 52.7% in 1,734 games, and 8. Ndb5 scores lowest: 49.2%. Stockfish's first choice is 8. Nb3.

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 7…Qb6, the position after Sicilian Defense: Richter-Rauzer Variation, Traditional Variation also goes on to:

Cite this page

Caissa Codex. “Sicilian Defense: Richter-Rauzer Variation, Ivanov Variation (B63)”. Lichess data as of 31 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/sicilian-defense-richter-rauzer-variation-ivanov-variation

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