Reti Opening – Old Indian Attack
Réti Opening
Definition
The Réti Opening is defined by the first move 1. Nf3, named after the Czechoslovak-Austrian grandmaster Richard Réti (1889-1929). It embodies the hyper-modern philosophy: rather than occupying the centre immediately with pawns, White develops a knight and often fianchettos a bishop, exerting long-range pressure on the central light squares (d4 and e5) from a distance.
Typical Move Orders & Main Ideas
- Core starting point: 1. Nf3. Common follow-ups include 2. c4, 2. g3, or 2. d4, depending on Black’s reply.
- Hyper-modern concept: allow Black to build a classical pawn centre with …d5 and …e5, then undermine it with pawn breaks (c4, d3, e4) and piece pressure.
- Highly transpositional: can transpose into the Catalan, English, Queen’s Gambit, or even the King’s Indian Attack.
- Typical strategic themes:
- Flexibility – White can choose setups after seeing Black’s formation.
- Control of dark squares (if White plays g3 and Bg2) and light squares (if White plays c4 and Nc3).
- Queenside expansion with b4 or cxd5, undermining Black’s centre.
Strategic & Historical Significance
Introduced in top-level play by Réti in the early 1920s, the opening challenged the classical dogma that the centre must be occupied immediately with pawns. Réti famously defeated World Champion José Raúl Capablanca in New York 1924 with this system, ending the Cuban’s eight-year unbeaten streak.
Illustrative Game
Réti vs. Capablanca, New York 1924
The game showcased delayed central occupation, long-range pressure, and a queenside pawn majority that culminated in Réti’s strategic victory.
Interesting Facts
- Réti’s treatise “Die Neuen Ideen im Schachspiel” (“New Ideas in Chess”) popularised the opening and the hyper-modern school.
- Well suited for rapid and blitz because of its flexibility; opponents cannot rely on memorised forcing lines.
- World champions from Botvinnik to Carlsen have employed the Réti as a surprise or main weapon.
Old Indian Attack (in the Réti)
Definition
The term “Old Indian Attack” refers to the Réti sequence in which Black adopts an Old Indian–style structure against White’s fianchetto: 1. Nf3 d5 2. g3 Nf6 3. Bg2 e6 4. O-O. ECO classifies this as A07 (Réti: Old Indian Attack). The position resembles the Old Indian Defence (Black playing …d6, …Nf6, …e5), but with colours reversed and an extra tempo for White.
Typical Position
White has a kingside fianchetto and solid centre, ready for breaks with e4 or c4. Black’s setup is flexible but somewhat passive, echoing the Old Indian Defence.
Strategic Themes
- e2–e4 thrust: White often prepares e4 to seize central space. If Black exchanges on e4, the fianchetto bishop on g2 gains scope.
- Queenside counterplay: If Black locks the centre with …c5 and …d4, White may expand with b4 or a4, leveraging the extra tempo.
- Minor-piece manoeuvres: Knights may reroute (Nf3–h4–f5 or Nb1–d2–c4/e4) to exploit holes on d6, f5, or b5.
Historical Notes
The line attracted practitioners of the hyper-modern school in the 1920s-30s, notably Savielly Tartakower and Ernst Grünfeld. In modern times, players such as Vladimir Kramnik and Levon Aronian have used it as a low-theory, strategic weapon to avoid sharp mainline theory.
Model Game
Fischer vs. Myagmarsuren, Sousse Interzonal 1967
Fischer showcased a classic plan: timely e4, piece activity, and tactical exploitation of weak queenside squares.
Interesting Facts & Anecdotes
- Because it mimics the Old Indian Defence with colours reversed, some databases list the line under both “Réti” and “King’s Indian Attack,” causing occasional confusion in opening nomenclature.
- Claude Shannon, in his seminal 1950 paper that founded computer chess, used a Réti/Old Indian Attack position as an example of strategic planning for machines.
- The structure can arise from the English Opening: 1. c4 Nf6 2. g3 d5 3. Bg2 e6 4. Nf3, demonstrating the Réti’s famous transpositional power.