B61 Sicilian Defense: Richter-Rauzer Variation, Modern Variation
B61 holds a single named line. It leaves B60, a position of the same name, with 7.Qd2. That final move, by the queen, opens a line for the rook on a1 and guards the bishop on g5. Of all other reference positions, the board of B63 (Richter-Rauzer Variation, Traditional Variation) comes closest, four squares apart.
| # | White | Black |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | e4 | c5 |
| 2 | Nf3 | Nc6 |
| 3 | d4 | cxd4 |
| 4 | Nxd4 | Nf6 |
| 5 | Nc3 | d6 |
| 6 | Bg5 | Bd7 |
| 7 | Qd2 |
Moves only B61 plays
Same as B67 up to 6.Bg5, then:
- 6...Bd7 The bishop leaves c8 for d7, opening a line for the rook on a8 and the queen on d8.
- 7.Qd2 The queen goes from d1 to d2, opening a line for the rook on a1, guarding the bishop on g5.
The road to B61
Three of the 11 named positions on the way are reached by a move order other than their own.
- 1.e4 … 5...d6nine earlier stops: B00, B20, B27, B30, B32, B33, B56
- 6.Bg5B60 Richter-Rauzer Variation by another order
- 6...Bd7B60 Modern Variation by another order
- 7.Qd2B61
The position after 7.Qd2
White has brought out the knight on c3, knight on d4 and bishop on g5; Black the knight on c6, knight on f6 and bishop on d7. White has a half-open d-file; Black a half-open c-file. Black could capture with Nxd4, Nxe4. Black is to move and has 33 legal moves.
Closest boards in other codes
| Code | Line | Differs on |
|---|---|---|
| B56 | Sicilian Defense: Classical Variation | six squares: c1, d1, d2, g5, d7, c8 |
| B62 | Sicilian Defense: Richter-Rauzer Variation | six squares: d1, d2, e6, d7, e7, c8 |
| B66 | Sicilian Defense: Richter-Rauzer Variation, Neo-Modern Variation, Early Deviations | six squares: a6, e6, a7, d7, e7, c8 |
| B57 | Sicilian Defense: Classical Variation, Sozin Attack | eight squares: c1, d1, f1, d2, c4, g5, d7, c8 |
| B58 | Sicilian Defense: Classical Variation | eight squares: c1, d1, f1, d2, e2, g5, d7, c8 |
| B94 | Sicilian Defense: Najdorf Variation | eight squares: d1, d2, a6, c6, a7, d7, b8, c8 |
| B33 | Sicilian Defense: Open | nine squares: b1, c1, d1, d2, c3, g5, d6, d7 … |