Classical Sicilian: Richter-Rauzer

Looking for a mainline Sicilian variation to provide a break from the Najdorf, but you don't really want to dive off into the Sveshnikov or a Dragon variation?  There are still a few options remaining, one of which is the Classical Sicilian, marked by 1.e4 c5 2.Nf3 Nc6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Nf6 5.Nc3 d6.  (Note that the Classical can reached by a number of move orders, including through 2...d6.)  In the basic position after 5...d6, White has tried a lot of moves, but 90% of games will include either 6.Bg5 (Richter-Rauzer), 6.Bc4 (Sozin), or Be2 (the Classical, proper).  In the following game, White plays the Richter-Rauzer, which comprises more than one-half of all Classical Sicilians, making it a good place to start.  The first 12 moves have been played in a number of previous games.  After 12...b4, White has an apparent space advantage, but no easy way to crack the center open.  Black is slightly cramped but has enough queenside play to get himself untangled, and Black has the Bishop pair.  If White is slow, Black will steal away the initiative on the queenside, which is a large part of the appeal of the opening.  Note that Black often doesn't need to rush to castle because of his strong center, and the saved tempo can make a large difference in an unbalanced game like the Richter-Rauzer. White takes the game into new territory with 13.Na4, a move that deserves a closer look.  The game here is not lost on 13.Na4, but likely rather by White's inaccurate play at move 30. 

Corus 2010, Group A: Nakamura Looking Strong But All Chase Shirov

The field at Corus A has developed some separation after 3 rounds. Shirov has the hot hand at 3-0, but it's best that he score now, because the competition is going to stiffen quickly. Nakamura and Carlsen are a half point back and Ivanchuk is a full point back. Nakamura is picking up where he left off at the World Team Championship, playing along at a 2900+ performance clip.

Akobian has a loss and two draws in Group B and Robson is tied for the lead in Group C with 2 1/2 after giving up a draw today.

The crosstables and games can be found here at TWIC.

Corus A Wijk aan Zee														cat. XIX (2719)
					1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	0	1	2	3	4
1.	Shirov, Alexei	g	ESP	2723	*	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	1	1	1	.	.	.	3
2.	Carlsen, Magnus	g	NOR	2810	.	*	.	.	.	.	.	.	½	.	.	1	1	.	2½	2926
3.	Nakamura, Hikaru	g	USA	2708	.	.	*	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	1	½	1	2½	2937
4.	Ivanchuk, Vassily	g	UKR	2749	.	.	.	*	.	.	.	.	½	½	.	.	1	.	2	2789
5.	Dominguez Perez, Leinier	g	CUB	2712	.	.	.	.	*	½	½	½	.	.	.	.	.	.	1½	2766
6.	Karjakin, Sergey	g	UKR	2720	.	.	.	.	½	*	½	.	.	.	½	.	.	.	1½	2747
7.	Anand, Viswanathan	g	IND	2790	.	.	.	.	½	½	*	.	.	.	.	.	.	½	1½	2709
8.	Kramnik, Vladimir	g	RUS	2788	.	.	.	.	½	.	.	*	.	½	½	.	.	.	1½	2708
9.	Tiviakov, Sergei	g	NED	2662	0	½	.	½	.	.	.	.	*	.	.	.	.	.	1	2635
10.	Caruana, Fabiano	g	ITA	2675	0	.	.	½	.	.	.	½	.	*	.	.	.	.	1	2628
11.	Leko, Peter	g	HUN	2739	0	.	.	.	.	½	.	½	.	.	*	.	.	.	1	2618
12.	Van Wely, Loek	g	NED	2641	.	0	0	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	*	.	1	1	2613
13.	Smeets, Jan	g	NED	2657	.	0	½	0	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	.	*	.	½	2482
14.	Short, Nigel D	g	ENG	2696	.	.	0	.	.	.	½	.	.	.	.	0	.	*	½	2440

Classical Sicilian: 7.Bb5!?

Nakamura wins a good game against White's rare 7th. It's worth a look if you play the Classical Sicilian.

Open Sicilian: Richter Rauzer

There's no substitute for playing the Open Sicilian if you're White. There are a number of plausible anti-Sicilians, but none offer the opportunity to score the full point offered by taking on the mass of theory. When playing the open Sicilian, it's possible to land in a classical Sicilian by many routes, including 2...d6, 2...e6, or 2...Nc6. If you do, consider the Richter Rauzer.

The ICC bots are a good way to test your openings when it's difficult to find an opponent.