Chess opening · ECO A09
Réti Opening
2.c4 is White's answer to 1...d5 in the Reti, and it puts the question to the black pawn right away. White has no pawn on d4 or e4 yet. The idea is to strike at the center from the flank and decide later whether to occupy it, often after a kingside fianchetto. Black's reply on move two sets the tone, because each one leads to a different structure.
- Rank by weighted share
- #114 of 159
Key moves
1. Nf3 d5 2. c4
- 2. c4The c-pawn attacks d5 while the f3 knight keeps an eye on d4 and e5. If Black does nothing, White can take on d5 and trade a wing pawn for a center pawn.
Taking on c4
2...dxc4 grabs the pawn. White usually wins it back with e3 and Bxc4, or with Qa4+ followed by Qxc4. Black gets free play for the pieces in return, but the d5 pawn no longer holds the center.
Pushing past with 2...d4
2...d4 gains space and cuts White's knight off from its c3 square, at least for now. White often chips at the pawn with e3 or b4 and fianchettoes the light-squared bishop on g2.
Holding d5 with 2...c6
2...c6 props up the d5 pawn. White can keep the game in Reti territory with b3, g3 and two fianchettoed bishops, or play d4 and reach a Slav Defense. 2...e6 works the same way, and d4 there leads to the Queen's Gambit Declined.
Winning the pawn back
2... dxc4 3. e3 Nf6 4. Bxc4 e6 5. O-O c5
Material is level again and White has castled. White can follow with d4 to claim the center, and Black has answered with ...c5 to contest the d4 square.
Top replies by rating
dxc4 leads from 1200 to 1799, but at 2000 and up c6 tops the table and dxc4 drops out of the top three.
| Rating | Top | Second | Third |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1200–1399 | dxc4 41% | d4 25% | Nf6 16% |
| 1400–1599 | dxc4 37% | d4 23% | c6 14% |
| 1600–1799 | dxc4 31% | d4 22% | c6 18% |
| 1800–1999 | d4 25% | dxc4 25% | c6 25% |
| 2000 and up | c6 42% | d4 22% | e6 18% |
Questions
Is the Reti the same as the English?
They share the c4 push and often transpose. The difference is the move order: the Reti starts with Nf3 and plays c4 only after Black commits to ...d5, which discourages an early ...e5 from Black, since the f3 knight already covers e5.
Related openings
Try it on the board. The first coached game and three analyses are free.