Sicilian Defense: Richter-Rauzer Variation, Neo-Modern Variation 9. f4 Be7
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Statistics from Lichess
31,445 games: White 48.2% / Draw 7.0% / Black 44.8%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 10,95811K | ||
| 5,3105,310 | ||
| 4,9414,941 | ||
| 1,9841,984 | ||
| 1,9771,977 | ||
| 1,1671,167 | ||
| 921921 | ||
| 910910 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 13, 2026
Engine evaluation
+0.27 The position is about equal
Best play: 10. Nf3 b5 11. e5 b4 12. exf6 bxc3 13. Qxc3 gxf6 14. Bh4 d5
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
Sicilian Defense: Richter-Rauzer Variation, Neo-Modern Variation (ECO B68, Semi-Open Games) is a variation of the Sicilian Defense: Richter-Rauzer Variation, Neo-Modern Variation, reached after 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 d6 6. Bg5 e6 7. Qd2 a6 8. O-O-O Bd7 9. f4 Be7 (9 moves).
In 31,445 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 48.2%, Black 44.8% and 7.0% were drawn. White's most played move here is 10. Nf3, in 35% of those games.
It continues into one named variation, Sicilian Defense: Richter-Rauzer Variation, Neo-Modern Variation, Nyezhmetdinov Attack.
Written from the Lichess opening list and explorer. Know this line well? Write about it.
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How to answer 9…Be7
The most played answer, 10. Nf3, also scores best for White: 55.2%, with White winning 51.7% and Black 41.4% of 11K games. Of the main answers, 10. Nxc6 scores lowest: 45.4%. Stockfish's first choice is also 10. Nf3.
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
Variations (1)
Cite this page
Caissa Codex. “Sicilian Defense: Richter-Rauzer Variation, Neo-Modern Variation (B68)”. Lichess data as of 13 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/sicilian-defense-richter-rauzer-variation-neo-modern-variation-2