Réti Opening

Réti Opening

a b c d e f g h 8 8 7 7 6 6 5 5 4 4 3 3 2 2 1 1 a b c d e f g h
Moves	1.Nf3 d5 2.c4
ECO	A04–A09
Origin	Réti–Rubinstein, Carlsbad, 1923
Named after	Richard Réti
Parent	Flank opening
Synonym(s)	Réti System Réti–Zukertort Opening

The Réti Opening is a hypermodern chess opening whose traditional or classic method begins with the moves:

1. Nf3 d5

2. c4

White plans to bring the d5-pawn under attack from the flank, or entice it to advance to d4 and undermine it later. White will couple this plan with a kingside fianchetto (g3 and Bg2) to create pressure on the light squares in the center.

The opening is named after Richard Réti (1889–1929), an untitled Grandmaster from Czechoslovakia. The opening is in the spirit of the hypermodernism movement that Réti championed, with the center being dominated from the wings rather than by direct occupation.

1.Nf3 develops the knight to a good square, prepares for quick castling, and prevents Black from occupying the center by 1...e5. White maintains flexibility by not committing to a particular central pawn structure, while waiting to see what Black will do. But the Réti should not be thought of as a single opening sequence, and certainly not a single opening move, but rather as an opening complex with many variations sharing common themes.

In the Encyclopaedia of Chess Openings (ECO), Réti Opening is classified as codes A04–A09.

History

Scoresheet of Réti–Capablanca, New York 1924

According to Réti the opening was introduced into master play in the early part of 1923.^[1] Réti used the opening most famously to defeat José Raúl Capablanca, the reigning World Chess Champion, in a game at the 1924 New York tournament.^[2] Alexander Alekhine played the Réti in the 1920s, but at that time almost any game that began with Nf3 and c4 by White was considered to be the Réti. Réti popularized these moves against all defenses in the spirit of hypermodernism, and as the opening developed it gained structure and a clearer distinction between it and other openings.

Hans Kmoch called the system of attack employed by Réti in the game Réti–Rubinstein, Carlsbad 1923,^[3] "the Réti Opening" or "the Réti System". Savielly Tartakower called the opening the "Réti–Zukertort Opening", and said of 1.Nf3: "An opening of the past, which became, towards 1923, the opening of the future."^[4]

Classic method: 2.c4

In modern times the Réti refers only to the configuration Nf3 and c4 by White with ...d5 by Black, where White fianchettos at least one bishop and does not play an early d4.^[5]

After 2.c4 (ECO code A09), Black's choices are:

• 2...e6 or 2...c6 (holding the d5-point)
• 2...dxc4 (giving up the d5-point)
• 2...d4 (pushing the pawn)

If Black takes the pawn, then in the same manner as the QGA, 3.e3 or 3.e4 regain the pawn with a slight advantage to White—Black being left somewhat undeveloped. 3.Na3 and 3.Qa4+ are also good, and commonly played. This variety of White options limits the popularity of 2...dxc4.

Transpositions

	a	b	c	d	e	f	g	h
8									8
7									7
6									6
5									5
4									4
3									3
2									2
1									1
	a	b	c	d	e	f	g	h

1.Nf3 d5 2.c4 e6

	a	b	c	d	e	f	g	h
8									8
7									7
6									6
5									5
4									4
3									3
2									2
1									1
	a	b	c	d	e	f	g	h

1.Nf3 d5 2.c4 e6 3.g3 Nf6 4.Bg2 Be7 5.O-O O-O

After 2.c4 e6, White can play 3.d4 for the Queen's Gambit Declined.

1.Nf3 d5 2.c4 e6 3.d4 to

1.d4 d5 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3

3.g3 Nf6 is the Neo-Catalan Opening, also under English (e.g. 1.Nf3 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.g3 d5). Here White can play 4.d4.

1.Nf3 d5 2.c4 e6 3.g3 Nf6 4.d4 to

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 d5 4.g3

After 4.Bg2, Black may play ...Be7 or ...dxc4. With move 4...Be7, White can then play 5.d4.

1.Nf3 d5 2.c4 e6 3.g3 Nf6 4.Bg2 Be7 5.d4 to

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 d5 4.g3 Be7 5.Bg2

This goes to the Closed Catalan, avoiding Open Catalan (except classical line).^[5] Or else White can castle, then Black probably castles as well.

1.Nf3 d5 2.c4 e6 3.g3 Nf6 4.Bg2 Be7 5.O-O O-O 6.d4 to

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 d5 4.g3 Be7 5.Bg2 O-O 6.O-O

With 4...dxc4 to 4.Bg2, White's most common move is 5.Qa4+, and this will not correspond to a 1.d4 line.

After 2.c4 c6, White can play 3.d4 for the Slav Defense.

1.Nf3 d5 2.c4 c6 3.d4 to

1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3

After 2.c4 c6 3.e3 Nf6, White can play 4.d4 for the Slav Defense.

1.Nf3 d5 2.c4 c6 3.e3 Nf6 4.d4 to

1.d4 d5 2.c4 c6 3.Nf3 Nf6 4.e3

After 2.c4 c6 3.e3 Nf6 4.Nc3 e6, White can play 5.d4 for the Semi-Slav Defense.

1.Nf3 d5 2.c4 c6 3.e3 Nf6 4.Nc3 e6 5.d4 to

1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.Nf3 d5 4.Nc3 c6 5.e3

However, White can play 5.b3 instead.

See also

• Flank opening
• List of chess openings
• List of chess openings named after people
• Zukertort Opening
• Réti Opening, King's Indian Attack

References

Further reading

The Wikibook Chess Opening Theory has a page on the topic of: Réti Opening

• Dunnington, Angus (1998). Easy Guide to the Reti Opening. Cadogan. ISBN 978-1-85744-518-3. 
• Davies, Nigel (2004). The Dynamic Reti. Everyman Chess. ISBN 978-1-85744-352-3.