Method for operating a reciprocating internal combustion engine

A method for operating a reciprocating internal combustion engine in an exhaust braking mode, in which a camshaft for actuating a gas exchange valve of the reciprocating internal combustion engine is adjusted when the exhaust braking mode is activated, comprising:

• within one operating cycle of a first cylinder,
• closing a first exhaust valve of the first cylinder a first time,
• subsequently opening the first exhaust valve of the first cylinder a first time,
• keeping the first exhaust valve open while a second exhaust valve opens and for as long as the first cylinder is filled with gas flowing out of a second cylinder of the reciprocating internal combustion engine via an exhaust duct and until the second exhaust valve closes,
• closing the second exhaust valve,
• subsequently closing the first exhaust valve of the first cylinder a second time, and
• subsequently opening the first exhaust valve of the first cylinder a second time in order to release gas, compressed in the first cylinder by a first piston of the first cylinder, from the first cylinder;
• and within another operating cycle of the first cylinder following the one operating cycle of the first cylinder,
• retarding an opening timepoint at which subsequent opening of the first exhaust valve of the first cylinder the second time occurs relative to an opening timepoint at which subsequent opening of the first exhaust valve of the first cylinder the second time occurs within the one operating cycle of the first cylinder while keeping a closing timepoint at which the first exhaust valve closes the first time unchanged from the closing timepoint at which the first exhaust valve closes the first time in the one operating cycle of the first cylinder, thereby increasing said braking power prior to opening the second exhaust valve of the second cylinder in the other operating cycle of the first cylinder.