Sicilian Defense: Richter-Rauzer Variation, Podebrady Variation
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Statistics from Lichess
7,957 games: White 46.1% / Draw 5.0% / Black 49.0%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 6,2546,254 | ||
| 1,2081,208 | ||
| 282282 | ||
| 110110 | ||
| 3535 | ||
| 1616 | ||
| 1010 | ||
| 99 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 29, 2026
Engine evaluation
−0.19 The position is about equal
Best play: 7... a6 8. a4 h6 9. Bh4 Be7 10. Be2 d5 11. exd5 exd5 12. 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, Podebrady Variation (ECO B62, Semi-Open Games) is a variation of the Sicilian Defense: Open, reached after 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 d6 6. Bg5 e6 7. Nb3 (7 moves).
In 7,957 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 46.1%, Black 49.0% and 5.0% were drawn. Black's most played move here is 7…Be7, in 79% of those games.
Written from the Lichess opening list and explorer. Know this line well? Write about it.
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How to play against the Sicilian Defense: Richter-Rauzer Variation, Podebrady Variation
7…a6 scores best for Black: 52.4%, with Black winning 50.2% and White 45.4% of 1,208 games. The most played answer, 7…Be7, scores lowest: 51.7% in 6,254 games. Stockfish's first choice is also 7…a6.
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
Transpositions
Cite this page
Caissa Codex. “Sicilian Defense: Richter-Rauzer Variation, Podebrady Variation (B62)”. Lichess data as of 29 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/sicilian-defense-richter-rauzer-variation-podebrady-variation