Rauzer: Richter–Rauzer Attack (Sicilian)
Rauzer
Definition
In chess, “Rauzer” most commonly refers to the Richter–Rauzer Attack in the Sicilian Defence, a sharp and historic system arising after 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 Nc6 6. Bg5. White pins the f6-knight with Bg5, aiming to fight for control of the d5-square and often to castle long and attack on the kingside. The name honors Vsevolod Rauzer (1908–1941), a Soviet master and influential opening theoretician, and Kurt Richter (1900–1969), a German master and tactician, who both analyzed and popularized the system in the 1930s.
How It Is Used in Chess
The Rauzer is a weapon against the Classical Sicilian (…Nc6 and …Nf6 setups). After 6. Bg5, White frequently continues Qd2 and 0-0-0, launching a pawn storm with f2–f4, g2–g4, and h2–h4. Black meets this with counterplay on the queenside (…a6, …b5, …Rc8), central breaks (…d5), and precise piece maneuvering (…Be7, …Nxd4, …Qb6).
- Typical move order: 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 Nc6 6. Bg5.
- Common replies: 6…e6 (main line), 6…Bd7, 6…Qb6, or 6…g6 (Dragon-like ideas).
- Main white plan: Qd2, 0-0-0, f2–f4–f5 or g2–g4–g5, exerting pressure on f6 and the dark squares.
- Main black plan: Develop with …Be7 and …0-0, counter with …a6, …b5, and time …d5 or …Ne5 to unpin and fight for central control.
Strategic Significance
The Rauzer is a cornerstone of open Sicilian theory. By pinning the f6-knight, White limits Black’s ability to play …d5 and tries to seize space and initiative. The resulting positions are highly dynamic and often feature opposite-side castling, where speed of attack outweighs material considerations.
- Control of d5: The pin on Nf6 and pressure on e4/e5 revolve around winning or contesting the d5 outpost.
- Opposite-side castling: White frequently castles long; Black usually castles short and races on the opposite wing.
- Structural decisions: White may exchange on f6 (Bxf6) to double Black’s pawns or to strip a key defender of d5; Black weighs …Nxd4 to trade attackers and reduce White’s initiative.
- Timing of pawn breaks: White’s f4–f5 and g4–g5 must be coordinated with piece placement; Black counters with …b5–b4 and the central strike …d5.
Typical Plans and Ideas
- For White:
- Qd2, 0-0-0 followed by f4–f5 or g4–g5 to increase the pin pressure and open lines toward Black’s king.
- Nd5 or Nf5 jumps after exchanging on f6 to exploit weakened dark squares.
- h2–h4–h5 in conjunction with g4–g5 to pry open the kingside.
- Prophylaxis like Kb1 to step out of checks (…Qa5+ or …Qb6+) before launching a full assault.
- For Black:
- …e6, …Be7, and …0-0 to complete development, then …a6–…b5–…b4 to hit the white king on c1/c2.
- …Nxd4 to exchange a key attacker, aiming for …Bd7 and …Rc8 to activate the queenside.
- Timely …d5 break to free the position and blunt White’s pressure on the dark squares.
- Resourceful …h6 and …g5 in some lines to question the Bg5 pin and grab space on the kingside.
Tactical Motifs to Know
- The pin on Nf6: Tactics often revolve around e4–e5, Bxf6, and invading with Nd5 or Nf5.
- Queen raids with …Qb6: Hitting b2 and putting pressure on the long diagonal can distract White from a kingside assault.
- Central counterstrike …d5: If successful, Black equalizes dynamically and can outpace White’s attack.
- Exchanges that change the attack: Bxf6 gxf6 structures give White targets on the kingside; conversely, …Nxd4 cxd4 can give Black a square on e5 and a strong blockade.
Example Line (Model Setup)
A standard illustration of the Richter–Rauzer move order and opposite-side plans:
[[Pgn|e4|c5|Nf3|d6|d4|cxd4|Nxd4|Nf6|Nc3|Nc6|Bg5|e6|Qd2|a6|0-0-0|Bd7|f4|Be7|Nf3|b5|Bd3|0-0|Kb1|Qc7|Rhe1|b4|Ne2|a5|Ng3|Rfc8|e5|dxe5|fxe5|Nxe5|Rxe5|Qxe5|Bxf6]
After 6. Bg5 e6 7. Qd2 a6 8. 0-0-0, White’s king is safe on c1 and the rook appears on d1. Black heads for …b5 and …Bb7/…Rc8, while White prepares f4–f5 or g4–g5. Both sides race to open files against the enemy king.
Historical Notes
Vsevolod Rauzer was one of the earliest and most influential pioneers of modern open Sicilian strategy, especially the concept of rapid development, long castling, and a pawn storm against the enemy king. Alongside Kurt Richter, he helped popularize 6. Bg5 in the Classical Sicilian and laid the groundwork for many attacking ideas that remain topical. The Richter–Rauzer Attack became a battleground of world championship candidates and top tournaments through the mid–late 20th century and is still respected at all levels today.
Interesting Facts and Anecdotes
- “Rauzer” is common shorthand for the full “Richter–Rauzer Attack.” In databases and opening books, you’ll often see it abbreviated as “RR.”
- The core themes of the Rauzer—pinning Nf6, fighting for d5, opposite-side castling—foreshadow many modern Sicilian systems, making it a great study case for learning open Sicilian dynamics.
- Black’s …Qb6 idea has long been a theoretical battleground: it tempts White to overextend on the kingside while Black counterattacks on the queenside and center.