Réti Opening · A14

Anglo-Slav Variation, after 1. Nf3

1. Nf3 d5 2. c4 c6 3. g3 Nf6 4. Bg2 e6 5. b3 Be7 6. Bb2

White's kingside bishop takes the long diagonal and White's queenside bishop takes the long diagonal. Nf3 and c4 attack d5 with pieces and the flank pawn while the centre pawns wait - hypermodern control now, central strikes later.

The first 4 moves, explained

• 1. Nf3 Develops the knight to f3, eyeing d4 and e5. Theory calls this the Zukertort Opening.
• 1... d5 Stakes a claim in the centre, controlling e4, and frees the bishop and queen.
• 2. c4 Challenges the pawn on d5 - the central tension has to resolve. Theory calls this the Réti Opening.
• 2... c6 Fights for d5 from the flank - contesting the centre without committing a centre pawn.

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