Réti Opening · A11

Anglo-Slav Variation, with g3, after 1. c4, through 4... Bf5

1. c4 c6 2. Nf3 d5 3. g3 Nf6 4. Bg2 Bf5

White's kingside 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... c6 Fights for d5 from the flank - contesting the centre without committing a centre pawn. Theory calls this the Caro-Kann Defensive System.
• 2. Nf3 Develops the knight to f3, eyeing d4 and e5.
• 2... d5 Stakes a claim in the centre, controlling e4, and frees the bishop and queen.

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