The Reti opening in chess is popular among intermediate and advanced chess players primarily and sees white open with 1. nf3 and whilst that might be some people’s distinction of the opening, it truly isn’t the Reti until black plays 1…d5 and white has played 2. c4.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Read on for more information on the Reti opening, how and why you should try to learn the moves, and how to identify when it is being played against you and how to defend against it in the best possible way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Let’s take a look at why we should consider the Reti system as a way to mix things up from time to time when playing first with the white pieces.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There is no perfect opening and with any system comes pros and cons to be aware of and prepare for.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There is some disagreement about how the Reti is really classified in chess opening theory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n chess.com<\/a> doesn’t actually state 1. nf3 as the Reti, explicitly, rather that it is sometimes referred to as the Zukertort Opening, but that when 1…d5 is played, and then 2. c5, this becomes the Reti gambit. which isn’t really a gambit at all as the black pawn can be won back easily within a couple of moves, but still..<\/p>\n\n\n\n It would be easy to state that 1. e4<\/a> is a Ruy Lopez, but that would be incorrect, it is the first move of the Ruy Lopez but is also the first move of the Vienna Game too, so can not be classified as an opening all of its own. Similarly, the 1. nf3 opening could be transposed to another, but once 2. c4 is played, especially if a gambit after 1…d5 you have a real Reti opening on your hands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n That’s a little sticky point out of the way, the debate will continue and in all honesty, there is no right or wrong in the situation, but each to their own. Just read on to find out more moves and the simple lines to master the Reti system and what to do about the absence of those central pawns<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Black always expect white to play 1. e4, the instant this is not the first move<\/a> puts black on the back-foot as they try to figure out what you are doing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Using a distinct move order, you may perplex your opponent. Even if you have a specific set-up in mind which of course you do, ‘The Reti’., the move order beyond the knight and first pawn advance is not set thus not giving your strategy<\/a> away immediately makes it more difficult for your opponent to figure out where you want to go and pick lines that you don’t want to face.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The goal of the Reti system is to displace your opponent’s pieces by not immediately attacking for the middle. Your opponent is confused and may make some moves away from the center, so whilst you are setting up the flanks, the center remains open to which you can transpose and also control.<\/p>\n\n\n\n White can castle early, protect and battle for central control whilst occupying some flank outposts too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Despite being relatively simple, it can take some learning but will be super effective when a chess master.<\/p>\n\n\n\n All you really need to know about the Reti opening is to play 1. nf3 and 2. c5 and you’re done!<\/p>\n\n\n\n if your opponent has played 1…d5 then you are playing the gambit but it’s a no-risk gambit in reality as black weakens its early position if accepting and is better to support the pawn with 2. c6 or 2…e6, which transposes to the English opening anyway.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In this trap<\/a>, the Reti does not require the 2. c5 move at all as focus comes on a kingside fianchetto<\/a> and an early castle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n From here, white can create some ridiculously devastating traps to crush black including the use of the Kingside bishop which is now primed on blacks queenside rook diagonal<\/a>, and the easiest way for these to be explained is to watch this short video and you’ll see how the Reti opening ignoring 2. c5 can be such a solid opening.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThe Reti Opening<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Pros and Cons of Reti Opening<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Pros<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Cons<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Chess.com says the Reti is 1. nf3<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Use the Reti Opening to Confuse Your Opponent<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Basic Reti Moves and Lines to Learn<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Reti Opening Traps<\/h3>\n\n\n\n