1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.Bg5 e6 7.Qd2 a6 8.0-0-0 Bd7 opens the Sicilian Defense: Richter-Rauzer Variation, Neo-Modern Variation, ECO B67. With 89,863 games on record, the patterns below come from the largest practical sample available.
History and Notable Players
It arises from the Sicilian Defense: Richter-Rauzer Variation, Neo-Modern Variation, Early Deviations. Among the most prolific White practitioners are Vlastimil Jansa (21 games), Vitaly Tseshkovsky (20 games), Oleg Korneev (18 games). Black-side regulars include Zdenko Kozul (181 games), Alojzije Jankovic (49 games), Lars Ake Schneider (46 games).
Performance Across Rating Levels
The picture changes a lot as you climb the rating ladder. The 1200 bracket has 195 games (0.00% of all games at that level); White wins 47.7%, Black 47.7%, 4.6% are drawn. At 1800 the opening surfaces in 0.00% of games; White wins 46%, Black 48.7%, draws 5.4%. At the top end (2500+ Elo), popularity is 0.13% with 8.8% draws — a clear sign of how much theory rules the line at master level.
Move Diversity and Theory Depth
Looking at move selection shows how forcing — or not — the position really is. At 1200 Elo (195 games), the top reply is f4, played 72.8% of the time. One other move takes at least 5% of games, and the top three moves account for 88.2% of games. Entropy: 1.53. By 2500 (17,706 games), f4 dominates at 54.2% of replies; two other moves reach 5% and the top three moves account for 93.8% of games. Entropy rises to 1.77. Even elite players don't fully agree on the best continuation here, which keeps the position dynamic.
Main Lines and Variations
After 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 d6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 Nc6 6.Bg5 e6 7.Qd2 a6 8.0-0-0 Bd7, the established follow-ups are:
Each branch leads to a different middlegame character — the resulting pawn structure decides what kind of game you get.
Common Mistakes
- Neglecting development — It can feel productive to make extra pawn moves early, but falling behind in piece development is what loses most amateur games — especially in open positions where active pieces find squares fast.
- Ignoring the kingside attack — In sharp Sicilian lines, White typically castles long and pushes the h-pawn. Without your own counterplay on the queenside or in the centre, White's attack lands first.
Practice on Chessiverse
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