Reti Opening, Nimzo-Larsen, Double Fianchetto Attack
Reti Opening
Definition
The Reti Opening is a hyper-modern opening that starts with 1. Nf3. Rather than occupying the centre with pawns immediately (as in 1. e4 or 1. d4), White develops a knight and prepares to challenge the centre from a distance with pawn breaks such as c4 or fianchettoed bishops. The opening belongs to ECO codes A04–A09.
Typical Move-Order & Plans
A very common sequence is 1. Nf3 d5 2. c4 when White either:
- Allows …dxc4 and regains the pawn with Qa4+ (classical Reti gambit style), or
- Maintains central tension and transposes to Catalan-type structures after g3 & Bg2.
White’s strategic idea is to undermine Black’s centre with pawn thrusts (c4, e4) and piece pressure rather than grabbing space early.
Strategic & Historical Significance
Richard Réti introduced the opening at top level in the 1920s, most famously defeating World Champion José Raúl Capablanca at New York 1924—Capablanca’s first loss in eight years. The game showcased the hyper-modern concept that one can cede the centre temporarily and then attack it successfully.
Illustrative Game
Interesting Facts
- The opening is very flexible: after 1. Nf3 d5 2. d4 you have transposed back to a Queen’s Pawn Game; after 2. g3 you can reach the King’s Indian Attack.
- Vladimir Kramnik used the Reti as a main weapon against Garry Kasparov in their 2000 World Championship match to neutralise Kasparov’s Gruenfeld and King’s Indian repertoires.
Nimzo-Larsen Attack (Nimzo-Larsen Opening, 1. b3)
Definition
The Nimzo-Larsen Attack begins with 1. b3 (or 1. Nf3 d5 2. b3 when called the Reti – Nimzo-Larsen Variation). White aims to fianchetto the queen’s bishop on b2, exerting long-range pressure on the central dark squares e5 and d4.
Typical Ideas
Plans often include:
- Bb2, e3, Nf3, c4 and d4—building a central pawn duo supported by the bishop.
- Fianchettoing both bishops (g3, Bg2) for a “Double Fianchetto” setup.
- Early Qa1 or Qb1 to reinforce the b1–h7 diagonal in attacking lines.
Strategic & Historical Notes
The line is named after Aron Nimzowitsch, an early pioneer, and GM Bent Larsen, who used 1. b3 to upset mainstream opening theory in the 1960s-70s. Its surprise value and off-beat nature make it a practical weapon even today; Wesley So and Richard Rapport have scored notable wins with it.
Example Game
Bent Larsen – Boris Spassky, Belgrade 1970 (exhibition)
Fun Facts
- Larsen once beat World Champion Anatoly Karpov with 1. b3, prompting Karpov to add the opening to his own repertoire for a short period.
- ECO assigns A01 to 1. b3, placing it at the very start of its encyclopedic list—an accidental but amusing “alphabet-first” honour.
Double Fianchetto
Definition
A Double Fianchetto refers to any opening or middlegame structure in which a player develops both bishops to the long diagonals (typically g2 & b2 for White or g7 & b7 for Black). Common move orders include 1. Nf3 d5 2. g3 Nf6 3. Bg2 e6 4. b3 – reaching a Reti Double Fianchetto.
Usage & Strategic Aims
The setup pursues:
- Maximum long-range control of the centre without committing pawns there too soon.
- Great flexibility—central pawns can later advance to break the opponent’s structure once the bishop pair is exerting pressure.
- A solid king (usually short castled behind one of the fianchettoed bishops) combined with dynamic potential on the flanks.
Modern Relevance
Magnus Carlsen, Levon Aronian and Anish Giri all occasionally use Double Fianchetto systems to sidestep dense opening theory. Engines evaluate such positions as roughly equal, but practical chances are rich because the positions are unbalanced and unfamiliar.
Classic Illustration
Carlsen – So, Tata Steel 2018 (abridged):
Trivia
- The concept was already suggested by Emanuel Lasker in the early 1900s, but it became fashionable only in the computer era when precise defensive resources could be found more easily.
- Because both bishops leave the back rank early, rooks can rapidly centralise on d1/e1 (or d8/e8 for Black), accelerating middlegame play.
Attack (in Chess)
Definition
An attack is a coordinated series of threats—often sacrifices—directed at the opponent’s king, material, or position. Initiating an attack usually involves improving piece activity, opening lines, and creating multiple simultaneous threats that the defender cannot meet.
Key Components
- Time (tempo) – the attacker must strike while the initiative lasts.
- Force – having more (or better-placed) pieces near the target.
- Targets – weak squares, an exposed king, pinned pieces.
Classic Example
Kasparov – Topalov, Wijk aan Zee 1999, featured a legendary rook sacrifice 24.Rxd4!! that ripped open Black’s king in the centre. The subsequent cascade of tactical blows is frequently cited in textbooks on attacking play.
Historical Perspective
Attacking chess has evolved from the romantic sacrificial style of the 19th century (Anderssen, Morphy) to the more carefully prepared assaults of the Soviet school (Tal, Kasparov). Modern engines prove that sound attacks often stem from long-term positional pressure rather than immediate fireworks.
Practical Tips
- Bring all your pieces into play before launching an attack.
- Look for pawn breaks (e.g., f4–f5 in the King’s Indian) that open lines.
- Calculate forcing variations, but also evaluate resulting endgames—sometimes the “attack” wins material rather than mate.
Curiosities
- The longest forced mating attack recorded by tablebases is 546 moves (a rook + bishop vs rook endgame!), illustrating that “attack” can exist even in seemingly dry positions.
- Garry Kasparov’s attacking style was so feared that many opponents adopted ultra-solid openings (e.g., the Petroff) simply to avoid giving him dynamic chances.