Reti Opening
Learn the Reti Opening by playing the moves. Practise the Reti Gambit, the ...d4 advance, the double fianchetto and the main transpositions one line at a time.
Best for: Positional players · ECO A04-A09 · First moves: 1. Nf3 d5 2. c4 e6
Free. No signup. Your progress is saved in your browser.
Your Reti Opening progress
No lines started yet
0%
mastered
Position after the Reti Opening setup
Common replies
Standard lines you'll meet most of the time. Begin with the recommended double fianchetto, then work through the rest.
Double Fianchetto
The core Reti development scheme you can use against almost anything.
White's flagship setup with both bishops on the long diagonals. The idea is to delay the central commitment until Black's structure reveals the best target.
1. Nf3 d5 2. c4 e6 3. g3 Nf6…
Reti Gambit Accepted
How to recover the c4 pawn and reach a comfortable, active position.
Black takes on c4 and White regains the pawn with quick development. The early exchange gives White active pieces without needing to memorise a long forcing line.
1. Nf3 d5 2. c4 dxc4 3. e3 Nf6…
Gambit with 3.Qa4+
The direct queen check that restores material balance at once.
White checks on a4 to win the pawn back immediately. After Qxc4, White keeps a clean structure and can continue with the standard fianchetto plan.
1. Nf3 d5 2. c4 dxc4 3. Qa4+ c6…
Advance with ...d4
How to dissolve Black's advanced d-pawn and gain a lead in development.
Black grabs space with ...d4 and White undermines it with e3. The line teaches how to dissolve an advanced pawn before it becomes a lasting cramp.
1. Nf3 d5 2. c4 d4 3. e3 Nc6…
Main Line with ...c6
How to play against Black's most solid Slav-style setup.
Black defends the d5 pawn Slav-style and White builds with b3 and g3. The position stays solid, but White's bishops quietly increase central pressure.
1. Nf3 d5 2. c4 c6 3. b3 Nf6…
New York System
The classical queenside fianchetto treatment without an early g3.
The classic Reti build-up with b3, Bb2 and pressure on the centre. White develops quietly first, then chooses whether to strike with d4 or keep manoeuvring.
1. Nf3 d5 2. c4 e6 3. b3 Nf6…
King's Indian Attack
The King's Indian Attack setup and its slow kingside build-up.
White plays d3 and a fianchetto, saving c4 for later or not at all. The setup is flexible and aims for a slow kingside build-up rather than early central contact.
1. Nf3 d5 2. g3 Nf6 3. Bg2 e6…
Quiet Line vs ...f5
A low-risk setup against Leningrad Dutch players.
The safe fianchetto treatment against the Dutch move order. White avoids an early theoretical fight and focuses on development, castling and central flexibility.
1. Nf3 f5 2. g3 Nf6 3. Bg2 g6…
vs Symmetrical ...c5
How to transpose into a favourable English or Tarrasch structure.
Black answers with ...c5 and the game heads for English structures. White can transpose into familiar central tension while keeping the Reti move-order flexibility.
1. Nf3 c5 2. c4 Nc6 3. Nc3 g6…
vs Queen's Indian Setup
How to fight for e4 against the Queen's Indian bishop.
Black fianchettoes on b7 and White keeps a flexible, d-pawn-free centre.
1. Nf3 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. g3 b6…
vs King's Indian Setup
How to meet King's Indian players without allowing their main attacking plans.
Black plays ...g6 and ...Bg7 and White keeps the centre flexible with d3.
1. Nf3 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. g3 Bg7…
vs Modern Defence
A safe scheme against flexible ...g6 systems.
Against an early ...g6, White builds the standard fianchetto and takes the centre later.
1. Nf3 g6 2. c4 Bg7 3. g3 Nf6…
Sharper options
More aggressive or off-beat lines. Add these once the main setup feels natural.
Advance with 3.b4
The flank strike against Black's centre and the resulting pawn tension.
The sharp gambit try, hitting the d4 pawn from the side. White uses queenside space to question Black's centre before normal development is complete.
1. Nf3 d5 2. c4 d4 3. b4 f6…
Exchange with Qb3
The cxd5 and Qb3 idea that exploits the loose b7 square.
White trades on d5 and hits b7 with the queen before Black can consolidate.
1. Nf3 d5 2. c4 c6 3. g3 Nf6…
Lisitsyn Gambit
How to punish an early ...f5 with a fast gambit attack.
The sharp answer to 1...f5, sacrificing a pawn to expose the black king.
1. Nf3 f5 2. e4 fxe4 3. Ng5 Nf6…
Santasiere's Folly
The surprise queenside gambit line and its typical middlegame plans.
The offbeat 2.b4 grabs queenside space straight away. It is a surprise weapon that asks Black to solve practical problems from the first few moves.
1. Nf3 d5 2. b4 e6 3. Bb2 Nf6…
Advanced hybrids
Structurally different lines for established players. Best learned after the main setup is automatic.
Gambit with 3.Na3
The fastest way to regain the pawn while keeping the fianchetto plan intact.
The modern 3.Na3, heading straight for c4 without spending time on e3.
1. Nf3 d5 2. c4 dxc4 3. Na3 c5…
Kramnik vs ...Bf5
The modern handling of Black's active bishop development.
Black develops the bishop early and White completes the double fianchetto.
1. Nf3 d5 2. c4 c6 3. b3 Bf5…
Catalan Transposition
How the Reti move order steers naturally into a Catalan structure.
Black takes on c4 late and White recovers the pawn with Qa4+ in Catalan style.
1. Nf3 d5 2. c4 e6 3. g3 Nf6…
Hedgehog Structure
How to recognise the hedgehog shell and build pressure before Black's freeing breaks.
Black reaches a hedgehog shell with ...b6, ...e6, ...d6 and ...a6, while White keeps central space and tries to time the d-file pressure correctly.
1. Nf3 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. g3 b6…
Learn more about the Reti Opening
12 sections covering move order, plans, structures, who it suits, and more.
If you like the Reti Opening, try…
Hand-picked next steps to round out your repertoire.
Another opening for White
London System
A solid d4 opening where White develops the dark-squared bishop to f4 early, building a resilient pawn triangle on c3-d4-e3. Low on theory and high on plans, making it an ideal weapon at all levels.
Pair this with a defence as Black
King's Indian Defence
A hypermodern opening where Black allows White to build a broad pawn centre, then strikes back with ...e5 or ...c5. The fianchettoed bishop on g7 becomes a powerful long-range weapon.
Try next
Ruy Lopez
The king of 1.e4 openings - White develops the bishop to b5, pressuring the knight that defends e5. A cornerstone of top-level chess, it leads to deep strategic battles from slow manoeuvring to explosive attacks.
Practise the Reti Opening against real opponents
Training builds the moves. Real games make them stick - play on Chess.com.