Play With TheoryOther first moves for White · VI. Flank Openings
Réti Opening
The Réti Opening is a hypermodern opening that is a close relative of the English Opening and King's Indian Attack. White is essentially gambiting their c-pawn in the spirit of the Queen's Gambit, while preserving the flexibility of their center pawns.
- Side
- white
Characteristics
- ☘ AttainableShows up often enough that a learner should get regular chances to reach it.
- ✨ HypermodernAllows the opponent central space early, then aims to undermine that center with piece pressure.
- 🛡 PositionalSlower opening where plans, maneuvering, and structural advantages matter more than forcing tactics.
- ⏳ TheoreticalNeeds concrete preparation, but not necessarily the extreme depth of the heaviest theory openings.
- 🔀 TranspositionalOften reaches other openings through move-order changes, so lines overlap with nearby repertoires.
- 💎 UncommonLess common in practice, which can reduce opponent familiarity.
Strategic guide
Plans and motifs
- If Black accepts the gambit, White can win back the pawn in the same manner as in the QGA, with e3 (or e4) and meeting ...b5 with a4.
- White's strategy revolves around controlling the central light squares, with Nc3 and fianchetto of the light-square bishop.
Theory map
Common lines
- 2...dxc4 — Accepted Variation
- 2...d4 — Advance Variation
- May transpose into Queen's Gambit, Catalan, or English lines. Note: The "Réti Opening" sometimes refers to just the first move 1.Nf3. However, these slides refer to the Réti as the specific line after 1...d5 2.c4.