Richter-Rauzer Variation, Traditional Variation

The Traditional Variation is the standard way of handling the Richter-Rauzer. With 7. Qd2, White develops the queen behind the g5-bishop, links it to the d-file and clears the back rank for O-O-O. A later f2-f4, as in the Rauzer Attack, remains available. The usual result is a game with kings on opposite wings, where White builds pressure on the d6-pawn and against the kingside while Black looks for counterplay on the half-open c-file. White's other seventh moves, 7. Bb5, 7. Nxc6 and 7. Nb3, avoid this structure.

Black's two main replies are almost equally popular. 7...a6 is slightly more common. It keeps the king's destination open and prepares ...b5, and after 8. O-O-O Bd7 it becomes the Neo-Modern. 7...Be7, the Classical Variation, heads for quick kingside castling, and 8. O-O-O O-O 9. f4 Nxd4 reaches the Rauzer Attack. The engine also rates the exchange 7...Nxd4 highly. Rarer tries include 7...h6, which puts the question to the bishop, and 7...Qb6, the Ivanov Variation. The engine gives White a slight edge, but practical results are close to level.