Richter-Rauzer Variation, Classical Variation
- 1.e4c5
- 2.Nf3d6
- 3.d4cxd4
- 4.Nxd4Nf6
- 5.Nc3Nc6
- 6.Bg5e6
- 7.Qd2Be7
1,053 games
Richter-Rauzer line in which Black answers 7. Qd2 with 7...Be7, preparing kingside castling, usually followed by White castling queenside.
Train it in TheoriaAbout the Classical Variation
With 7...Be7, Black develops the king's bishop and prepares to castle kingside, keeping ...a6 in reserve. White nearly always replies 8. O-O-O, which leads to opposite-side castling. After 8...O-O 9. f4 Nxd4, the game enters the Rauzer Attack. The Kantscher Line delays castling with 8...Nxd4 9. Qxd4 a6 10. f4 b5 and seeks immediate queenside play. The rarer 8. f4 has scored poorly for White. The engine gives White a slight edge.