Reti Opening: Santasieres Folly
Réti Opening
Definition
The Réti Opening is a hyper-modern chess opening that begins, in its purest form, with the moves 1. Nf3 followed most often by 2. c4. By developing a knight to f3 and delaying any direct pawn advance in the center, White invites Black to occupy the center with pawns and then seeks to undermine it with timely pawn breaks and piece pressure from the flanks.
Typical Move-Orders
- Pure Réti: 1. Nf3 d5 2. c4
- Réti–English Hybrid: 1. Nf3 Nf6 2. c4 g6 3. g3 (transposing to a King’s Indian or Catalan structure later)
- Réti Accepted (Capablanca System): 1. Nf3 d5 2. c4 dxc4 3. e3
Because White withholds an early d- or e-pawn push, the opening is famous for its ability to transpose into many other systems, including the Catalan, English Opening, Queen’s Gambit Declined, King’s Indian Attack, and more.
Strategic Ideas
- Hyper-modern center control: White exerts pressure on d5 and e5 with pieces rather than occupying those squares immediately with pawns.
- Flank pawn breaks: Typical breaks include c4, d4 (later), and sometimes b3 followed by Bb2 to attack the long diagonal.
- Flexibility: By starting with 1. Nf3, White keeps Black guessing and can choose setups based on Black’s reply.
- Fianchetto pressure: The g2-bishop often becomes a key attacking piece against the black center.
Historical Significance
The opening is named after Richard Réti (1889-1929), one of the leading proponents of hyper-modernism. Réti famously used it to defeat José Raúl Capablanca—who had not lost a game in eight years—at New York 1924. That single victory did much to popularize the opening.
Illustrative Example
After 8…dxc4 9. bxc4, White has sacrificed a wing pawn but dominates the dark squares and keeps Black’s queenside undeveloped—a typical Réti theme.
Famous Games
- Réti vs Capablanca, New York 1924 – The landmark hyper-modern victory.
- Kasparov vs Karpov, Linares 1993 – Kasparov used a Réti–Catalan move-order to out-maneuver his rival.
- Carlsen vs Anand, World Championship Game 1, 2013 – Carlsen employed a flexible Réti setup to secure an effortless draw with Black under pressure.
Interesting Facts
- The ECO codes A04–A09 are devoted to pure Réti lines.
- Because the opening is so transpositional, many databases record Réti games under other openings after just a few moves.
- FIDE World Champion Magnus Carlsen frequently uses 1. Nf3 to steer opponents into less-theoretical territories.
Santasiere’s Folly
Definition
Santasiere’s Folly is an off-beat gambit line in the Réti family that arises after 1. Nf3 d5 2. b4?!. White offers the b-pawn to deflect Black’s central pawn and seize rapid development and open lines. It is named after the colorful American master Anthony E. Santasiere (1904-1977), who delightfully championed speculative gambits.
Typical Continuations
- 1. Nf3 d5 2. b4?! d4 3. Bb2 Nc6 4. b5 (or 4. a3) …
- If Black accepts: 2…Bxb4 3. Bb2 Nf6 4. c4, White gains central space and open diagonals for both bishops.
- The gambit can also occur after 1. Nf3 Nf6 2. b4!? with similar ideas.
Strategic & Practical Goals
- Tempo stealing: After …Bxb4, White plays c4 or a3 to chase the bishop, hoping the time lost by Black compensates for the pawn.
- Open diagonals: The b2-bishop becomes a powerful piece once the long diagonal opens.
- Psychological weapon: Its rarity can lure an unprepared opponent into unfamiliar territory early in the game.
- Risk vs reward: Objectively, theory considers the gambit dubious; accurate defense yields Black a healthy extra pawn.
Historical Notes
Anthony Santasiere was famous for flamboyant play and equally flamboyant prose. He introduced the line in American tournaments during the 1940s and 1950s, relishing its wild character despite skeptical peers who dubbed the idea a “folly.” Later, New-York master Lev Zilbermints employed it frequently, leading some sources to call 2. b4 the Zilbermints Gambit.
Illustrative Miniature
In this plausible sequence, White regains the pawn and preserves attacking prospects on the light squares. However, Black can improve earlier with 4…d4!, illustrating the gambit’s razor-edge nature.
Representative Games
- Santasiere vs Kevitz, New York 1945 – The inventor’s sparkling attacking win after 1. Nf3 d5 2. b4.
- Zilbermints vs Sherzer, U.S. Open 1993 – A modern illustration where White’s initiative outweighed material deficit.
Interesting Facts
- The ECO classification is A04 (Réti Opening: Santasiere’s Folly).
- Anthony Santasiere once wrote that playing 2. b4 made him feel “as though a crisp Alpine breeze had swept across the board.”
- Though considered unsound at top level, computer engines at rapid time controls sometimes give practical chances for White if Black is careless.