Richter-Veresov Attack

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The Richter-Veresov Attack is a chess opening. It is characterized by the moves 1.d4 d5 2.Nc3 Nf6 3.Bg5 (see algebraic notation).

Along with the Colle System and Torre Attack, the Richter-Veresov attack is one of the more common branches of the Queen's Pawn Game. After the Black reply 3...Bf5, the German master Kurt Richter, after whom the opening is half-named, usually replied 4.f3, hoping to build up a large pawn centre. Soviet player Gavril Veresov, on the other hand, usually played 4.Bxf6, damaging the Black pawn structure. Today, these two variations are known as the Richter Variation and Veresov Variation respectively.

The opening has never been very popular at the top level, but various prominent players have employed it occasionally. In 1959, for example, David Bronstein played the Richter Variation against Veresov himself; the game was drawn in 16 moves.

The more famous Ruy Lopez opening looks like mirrored Richter-Veresov Attack. Of course, since the d-pawn is protected from the start by the queen, the dynamics of play are quite different.

The ECO code for the Richter-Veresov Attack is D01.