Réti Opening · A12

Anglo-Slav Variation, Bled Variation

1. Nf3 d5 2. b3 Nf6 3. Bb2 g6 4. c4 c6

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. b3 Prepares the fianchetto: the bishop will take the long diagonal via b2. Theory calls this the Classical Variation.
• 2... Nf6 Develops the knight to f6, eyeing d5 and e4. It also props up the d5 pawn.

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