Richter-Rauzer Variation, Modern Variation

The Modern Variation replaces the usual 6...e6 with 6...Bd7, developing the queen's bishop first and leaving the placement of the e-pawn open. White most often continues 7. Qd2, the natural square for the queen in the Richter-Rauzer, while 7. Bxf6 doubles Black's f-pawns at once. The aggressive 7. f4 has fared badly for White in practice. The engine gives White a slight edge, though Black's results in this line are marginally better than White's.