Sicilian: Richter-Rauzer Margate 7...Bd7 8.Bxc6

Sicilian: Richter-Rauzer Attack

Definition

The Richter-Rauzer is a sharp, classical system for White against the Sicilian Defence that arises after the moves 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 Nc6 6. Bg5. The variation is named after two early 20^th-century masters—Kurt Richter (Germany) and Vsevolod Rauzer (USSR)—who explored the idea of pinning the f6-knight and building up a direct kingside attack.

Typical Move-Order and Branches

After 6…e6 (by far Black’s main reply) theory splits into three large families:

• 7.Qd2 – the modern main line, leading to sub-variations such as the Margate (7…Bd7), Byrne (7…Be7), Poisoned Pawn (7…Qb6), etc.
• 7.f4 – the original Richter idea, still dangerous and sometimes chosen to sidestep computer-heavy theory.
• 7.Nxc6 – the positional Rauzer line that inflicts doubled pawns but relinquishes the strong bishop.

Strategic Themes

• The f6-knight pin: White’s Bg5 plus Qd2 (or sometimes f4) freezes Black’s kingside and prepares long-side castling with a pawn storm.
• Opposite-side castling: After 0-0-0 by White and …0-0 by Black the game often becomes a race: g- and h-pawns vs. a- and b-pawns.
• Central tension: Black usually strikes back with …d5 or …e5; timing is critical because the pinned knight can’t easily recapture on d5.
• Exchange sacrifice motifs: Black players such as Kasparov have popularised …Rxc3 ideas to shatter White’s queenside shelter.

Historical Significance

The Richter-Rauzer was one of the first Open Sicilians adopted by Soviet theoreticians (Rauzer, Ragozin, Kotov) and later became a favourite of World Champions Tal, Fischer, and Kasparov. During the 1980s it was considered the main battleground of top-level Sicilian theory, rivalled only by the Najdorf.

Illustrative Mini-Game

The following attacking gem shows the classic “Rauzer mating net.”

(P. Keres – A. Tolush, USSR Championship 1948) – White’s sustained pressure on the pinned knight eventually produced a winning attack.

Interesting Facts

• Modern engines rate the Richter-Rauzer as one of the most double-edged Sicilians: evaluation swings of ±3 pawns are not uncommon after one imprecise move.
• The line appears in pop-culture: in the movie “Searching for Bobby Fischer,” the young protagonist rattles off Richter-Rauzer theory to impress a hustler.
• Because concrete tactics dominate, professional players sometimes avoid the main lines with move-order tricks to transpose into the English Attack or Scheveningen.

Margate Variation (Richter-Rauzer)

Definition

The Margate Variation refers specifically to the sequence 1. e4 c5 2. Nf3 d6 3. d4 cxd4 4. Nxd4 Nf6 5. Nc3 Nc6 6. Bg5 e6 7. Qd2 Bd7. The name honours the seaside town of Margate, England, site of important pre-war tournaments (notably 1937) where the line was analysed and tested.

How It Is Used

Black delays committing the f8-bishop (…Be7) or queenside expansion (…a6) and instead unpins with …Bd7, preparing:

• …Rc8 followed by …Ne5 to challenge the g5-bishop;
• …h6 and …g5 in some cases, expanding on the kingside;
• a rapid …d5 break if White castles long too casually.

Strategic Significance

• Flexibility: …Bd7 keeps both bishops’ diagonals unopened, making it harder for White to calculate forcing sacrifices.
• Structural Considerations: After 8.Bxc6 (the main line) Black gets doubled c-pawns but also the two bishops and semi-open b-file for counterplay.
• Transpositional Weapon: Depending on White’s 8th move, the game can drift into Scheveningen or even Classical Sicilian structures.

Historical Notes

Although Margate tournaments (1935-1939) featured legends like Capablanca, Keres, and Flohr, the variation itself gained modern respect when Viktor Korchnoi resurrected it in the 1970s, scoring several important wins with Black.

Example Continuation

Typical middle-game: Black’s doubled pawns are balanced by active bishops and potential rook swings along the b- and c-files.

Trivia

• The ECO code for the Margate line is B62.
• The early databases from the 1990s called it “Unclear Variation,” reflecting the theoretical tug-of-war that still exists today.

7…Bd7 8.Bxc6 – The Doubling Plan

Definition

Within the Margate Variation, the move pair 7…Bd7 8.Bxc6 is White’s principal method of forcing structural weaknesses: the bishop captures on c6, doubling Black’s c-pawns after …Bxc6 (or …Qxc6). The idea originates from Rauzer’s notebooks and remains one of the critical tests of Black’s setup.

Why It Is Played

• Endgame Perspective: Isolated or doubled c-pawns can be long-term targets if queens come off.
• King-Side Leverage: Removing the c6-knight (defender of e5 and d4 squares) eases White’s f2-f4-f5 expansion.
• Tactical Motifs: The bishop on c6 often ends up pinned after Qd2-e3 with a later e4-e5 fork.

Black’s Counter-Ideas

1. Recapture with the queen (…Qxc6) to keep the two bishops and avoid doubled pawns, at the cost of tempo.
2. Recapture with the bishop (…Bxc6) embracing the pawn structure but gaining the half-open b-file and bishop pair.
3. Exchange Sacrifice: Lines such as …Rxc3!? can unleash pieces against White’s king before the pawn weaknesses become relevant.

Sample Tactical Sequence

The doubled c-pawns appear on move 16, but Black has open lines on the queenside, illustrating the dynamic balance.

Famous Games Featuring the Plan

• Korchnoi – Timman, Wijk aan Zee 1984: White exploited the c-pawns in a rook ending to score a textbook positional win.
• Kasparov – Short, Manila Interzonal 1990: Black accepted doubled pawns but generated massive queenside pressure and drew a thriller.

Interesting Anecdote

Grandmaster Ivan Sokolov once joked in a post-game interview, “If Black survives the first 25 moves after 8.Bxc6 he is strategically winning.” The remark highlights both the variation’s volatility and its allure for uncompromising players.