Sicilian Defense: Richter-Rauzer Variation, Neo-Modern Variation position 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. White: bishop on g5, knight on d4, pawn on e4, knight on c3, pawn on a2, pawn on b2, pawn on c2, queen on d2, pawn on f2, pawn on g2, pawn on h2, king on c1, rook on d1, bishop on f1, rook on h1. Black: rook on a8, queen on d8, king on e8, bishop on f8, rook on h8, pawn on b7, bishop on d7, pawn on f7, pawn on g7, pawn on h7, pawn on a6, knight on c6, pawn on d6, pawn on e6, knight on f6.
Sicilian Defense: Richter-Rauzer Variation, Neo-Modern Variation is a chess opening that arises 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. It is classified B67 in the ECO system, and the position after these moves has white to move. The Sicilian Defense is Black's most popular answer to 1.e4, meeting it with 1...c5 to fight for the centre asymmetrically rather than mirroring White's pawn. Because the pawn structures that result are unbalanced from move one, the Sicilian produces sharper and more double-edged positions than any other reply to the king's pawn, and it has the best practical scoring record for Black at master level.
This position can also be reached by another move order, including 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.
Strategic character
Black accepts a slight lag in development in exchange for a queenside pawn majority and the half-open c-file, which becomes the main artery for counterplay. White typically attacks on the kingside while Black attacks on the queenside, so games often become a race in which tempo matters more than material.
Who should play it
Players who want winning chances with Black and are willing to learn theory. The main lines are heavily analysed, and being caught unprepared in the Najdorf or Dragon can lose quickly.
This line is a variation within the Sicilian Defense family. The strategic ideas above describe the family as a whole; this particular line reaches them by the move order 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.
Variations continuing from this position
Each of these is a named opening reached by playing on from 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. Open any of them to load the position on the board.
What is the Sicilian Defense: Richter-Rauzer Variation, Neo-Modern Variation?
The Sicilian Defense: Richter-Rauzer Variation, Neo-Modern Variation is a chess opening that arises 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. It is classified B67 in the ECO system. The Sicilian Defense is Black's most popular answer to 1.e4, meeting it with 1...c5 to fight for the centre asymmetrically rather than mirroring White's pawn. Because the pawn structures that result are unbalanced from move one, the Sicilian produces sharper and more double-edged positions than any other reply to the king's pawn, and it has the best practical scoring record for Black at master level.
What are the moves of the Sicilian Defense: Richter-Rauzer Variation, Neo-Modern Variation?
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. After these moves it is white to move.
Is the Sicilian Defense: Richter-Rauzer Variation, Neo-Modern Variation good for beginners?
Players who want winning chances with Black and are willing to learn theory. The main lines are heavily analysed, and being caught unprepared in the Najdorf or Dragon can lose quickly.
What variations come from the Sicilian Defense: Richter-Rauzer Variation, Neo-Modern Variation?
Named continuations include Sicilian Defense: Richter-Rauzer Variation, Neo-Modern Variation, Nyezhmetdinov Attack. There are 1 named variations reachable from this position in total.