Caissa Codex
B69

Sicilian Defense: Richter-Rauzer Variation, Neo-Modern Variation, Nyezhmetdinov Attack

Chess diagram: Sicilian Defense: Richter-Rauzer Variation, Neo-Modern Variation, Nyezhmetdinov Attack after 11. Bxf6

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Statistics from Lichess

4,274 games: White 52.4% / Draw 7.9% / Black 39.7%

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Next moveGamesWhite / Draw / BlackW / D / B
3,8883,888
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Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 13, 2026

Engine evaluation

+0.38 White is slightly better

Best play: 11... gxf6 12. f5 Qb6 13. Qh6 O-O-O 14. Kb1 Kb8 15. Bd3 Ne5 16. Ne2

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, Nyezhmetdinov Attack (ECO B69, 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 10. Nf3 b5 11. Bxf6 (11 moves).

In 4,274 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 52.4%, Black 39.7% and 7.9% were drawn. Black's most played move here is 11…gxf6, in 91% of those games.

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How to play against the Sicilian Defense: Richter-Rauzer Variation, Neo-Modern Variation, Nyezhmetdinov Attack

11…Bxf6 scores best for Black: 45.4%, with Black winning 40.2% and White 49.3% of 383 games. The most played answer, 11…gxf6, scores lowest: 43.5% in 3,888 games. Stockfish's first choice is 11…gxf6.

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, Neo-Modern Variation, Nyezhmetdinov Attack (B69)”. Lichess data as of 13 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/sicilian-defense-richter-rauzer-variation-neo-modern-variation-nyezhmetdinov-attack

https://chesscodex.org/openings/sicilian-defense-richter-rauzer-variation-neo-modern-variation-nyezhmetdinov-attack