Réti Opening · A12

Anglo-Slav Variation, London Defensive System, after 5. Bb2, through 5. Bb2

1. c4 Nf6 2. g3 c6 3. Nf3 d5 4. b3 Bf5 5. Bb2

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. c4 Fights for d5 from the flank - contesting the centre without committing a centre pawn. Theory calls this the English Opening.
• 1... Nf6 Develops the knight to f6, eyeing d5 and e4. Theory calls this the Anglo-Indian Defense.
• 2. g3 Prepares the fianchetto: the bishop will take the long diagonal via g2.
• 2... c6 Fights for d5 from the flank - contesting the centre without committing a centre pawn.

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