The Réti Opening – A Learner’s Guide

The Reti Opening is an unconventional opening where the game begins with the Knight, traditionally followed by White controlling the centre with the flank ‘c’ pawn. This is a hypermodern opening where White controls the centre with minor pieces and flank pawns instead of centre pawns like other conventional openings.

Definition

This is an opening played by White characterized by the game beginning with Nf3 with Black classically playing d5 as the first move. White responds to this by bringing the c pawn to c4 and follows this buy a possible fianchetto of the Kingside Bishop. This is a flexible opening where White allows the ‘e’ and the ‘d’ pawns to remain on their starting squares, and White does not commit to a specific pawn structure. Some believe that this opening resembles the English Opening due to the early use of the ‘c’ pawn.

Theory

Nf3 is an excellent square for the White Knight, which allows development as well as the possibility to castle early. Further, Nf3 also prevents Black from playing e5 and occupying the centre. Such a structure allows White to wait for Black to make moves, depending upon which White plays; hence this opening is termed to be flexible and non-commital to a specific pawn structure.

History and Origin

This opening was named after the famous Czechoslovakian Richard Réti, who used this opening to defeat José Raúl Capablanca, who was the World Champion in 1924. The opening gained popularity in the 1920s when every opening that began with Nf3 or c4 was considered the Reti Opening. It was later over years that this opening was defined and gained structure.

Reti Gambit Accepted

Here, Black plays dxc4 on the 2nd move, which White follows with e3 threatening the pawn on c4. Na3 is also an option if White does not wish to play e3. Black usually follows with c5, followed by Nxc4, Nc6 and White, then play g3, to fianchetto the kingside, White Bishop. To fianchetto, one of the White Bishops is a major tactical concept in the Reti Opening.

Advanced Variation

Here Black does not take the c4 pawn and instead pushes the pawn forward and plays d4. If White plays g3 here, the game is most likely to transpose into the Benoni Defence with reverse colours. However, going for this variation will give White a tempo and will force Black to play a rather passive game. The most desirable move for Black is c5, which White can avoid by playing b4 instead of g3. Black would respond to b4 by playing f6 followed by 4.e3 e5 5.c5 a5.

Once Black moves the Bishop to e7, White can capture the pawn on c5 and gain a tempo. White has a slight edge here as White’s Bishop is fianchettoed on the g2 square controlling a long file.

Reti Opening – Queen’s Gambit Declined Structure

This line is the most common set-up for Black against the Reti Opening.

White plays g3 instead of c4 as this move leaves the opponent guessing whether this game is going to transition into the King’s Indian Attack and also prevents Black from playing a very sharp line.

If Black plays Slav Defense

The Reti Opening is very effective against the Slav Defense, and Black tries to reach the Slav set up commonly when playing against the Reti Opening. Here White does not play d4 early in the game, and if Black tries to bring the Bishop out to f5 or g4, White can simply block this Bishop by playing d3.

King’s Indian Defense

The King’s Indian Defense is an opening you are likely to encounter when playing the Reti Opening. An early b4 in the game is a great preparation for the King’s Indian Defense. Further, it would be good for White to transpose into d4 lines by playing:

White now has a fianchettoed Bishop on g2, giving White a slight advantage in the Opening.

Traps

This is a trap seen in the mainline of the Reti Opening.

Grandmaster Games

Learning Guide

Books to Refer

FAQ

Why play the Reti Opening?

It is a flexible opening where White does not commit to a specific pawn structure from the beginning and does not hurry to take control of the centre. Further, this opening offers a wide scope for a variety of transpositions.

Is the Reti Opening good for Beginners?

The opening does not require alot of theoretical knowledge and tactical abilities; hence it may be a good option for some Beginners willing to play something unconventional.