Réti Opening: Gambit Declined & Advance
Réti Opening
Definition
The Réti Opening is defined by the move 1. Nf3. Named after the Czechoslovak grandmaster Richard Réti, it belongs to the hyper-modern family of openings in which the center is initially influenced from the flanks rather than occupied directly by pawns.
Typical Move-Order & Key Ideas
- 1. Nf3 d5 2. c4 — “Réti Gambit”
- 1. Nf3 Nf6 2. g3 — aiming for a Kings-Indian Attack set-up
- 1. Nf3 c5 2. c4 — transposes to an English Opening
- 1. Nf3 d5 2. e3 — Réti–Barcza System, a flexible QP structure
Strategic Significance
The Réti was a manifesto of the 1920s hyper-modern school:
- Delay pawn advances in the center.
- Pressure the center with pieces (Bg2, Nc3, Qa4, etc.).
- Maintain maximum flexibility—transpose into Queen’s Gambit, Catalan, or English positions as needed.
Because very little is committed in the first moves, the Réti is popular among players who like to steer the game into less-analysed paths without becoming overly risky.
Historical Snapshot
Richard Réti used his opening in the 1924 New York tournament to end José Raúl Capablanca’s 8-year unbeaten streak:
(Full game: Réti – Capablanca, New York 1924.)
Examples
- Kasparov – Short, Linares 1993: 1. Nf3 d5 2. c4 c6 3. g3 Nf6 4. Bg2 dxc4 5. Na3! — White recovers the pawn with pressure on d5.
- Fischer – Tal, Candidates 1960: 1. Nf3 Nf6 2. g3 g6 3. Bg2 Bg7 4. c4 0-0 5. d4 — a Réti transposed to a fianchetto King’s Indian.
Interesting Facts
- The opening’s ECO codes range from A04 to A09.
- Réti famously beat four world champions (Capablanca, Alekhine, Euwe, Botvinnik) with his namesake opening.
- A Réti Opening can even transpose to a French or Caro-Kann if White later plays e4.
Réti Gambit Declined
Definition
After 1. Nf3 d5 2. c4, White offers a wing pawn in exchange for rapid development and central pressure. If Black does not accept with 2…dxc4 or 2…dxc4 + 3…b5, the line is termed the Réti Gambit Declined.
Common Declining Methods
- 2…e6 — transposes to a Queen’s Gambit Declined or Catalan.
- 2…c6 — Slav-type structure while keeping the pawn chain intact.
- 2…Nf6 3. g3 — flexible, delaying …dxc4 until it is tactically safe.
- 2…d4 — grabs space; can lead to reversed Benoni structures.
Strategic Themes
- Center vs. Activity: By declining the pawn Black keeps a solid center but allows White free piece play on the light squares.
- Transpositional Maze: Both sides must be aware of Catalan, Slav, or English transpositions.
- Color-Complex Battle: White often fianchettos the kingside bishop to attack d5, while Black strives for …c5 breaks.
Illustrative Sequence
A typical Catalan-style structure where the original gambit has been refused.
Historical & Practical Notes
- Many grandmasters—Karpov, Anand, Nakamura—prefer to decline, believing the pawn on c4 is safer left alone than grabbed.
- The Réti Gambit Declined became theoretical battleground during the 2016 Candidates tournament (Karjakin, Aronian, Svidler all used it).
- Accepting the gambit can lead to sharp lines like the Hennig-Schara Gambit reversed; solid players often abstain.
Advance (as an Opening Concept)
Definition
In opening theory, an Advance variation refers to pushing a pawn one square farther than usual—typically to the third rank for White (or sixth for Black)—early in the game, gaining space but conceding that pawn’s support by a fellow pawn. The classic models are:
- French Defence, Advance Variation: 1. e4 e6 2. d4 d5 3. e5
- Caro-Kann, Advance Variation: 1. e4 c6 2. d4 d5 3. e5
- King’s Gambit, Advance (Allgaier) 5. g4 g4!? in some lines
Strategic Purpose
- Space Advantage: The advanced pawn cramps the opponent’s minor pieces (e.g., French light-squared bishop).
- Fixed Center: By locking the center, the Advance player prepares flank attacks (e.g., c4-c5 in the French).
- Delayed Piece Development: Because the pawn occupies a critical square, piece placement must often be reorganised (e.g., White’s bishop on c1 in the French).
Historical Perspective
The Advance French was popularised by Aron Nimzowitsch, who emphasized restraining counter-play. Later it became a mainstay in the repertoires of Viktor Korchnoi, Nigel Short, and modern computer engines that value space.
Examples
- Korchnoi – Karpov, World Championship 1978 (Game 13): A model Advance French where Korchnoi built up pressure on the kingside dark squares.
- Carlsen – Giri, Wijk aan Zee 2015: Advance Caro-Kann; Carlsen adopted b4-b5 to open lines on the queenside.
Interesting Tidbits
- Many “anti-computer” lines in the early 2000s were Advance variations, believed to restrict engine piece activity.
- In some openings (e.g., Alekhine Defence), an Advance with c4 or e5 can instantly change the character of the game, scaring off unwary Black players.
Reversed Blumenfeld Gambit
Definition
The Reversed Blumenfeld Gambit is a pawn sacrifice by White that mirrors Black’s traditional Blumenfeld Gambit (1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 c5 3. d5 e6 4. Nf3 b5). With colors reversed, the typical move order is:
- 1. Nf3 Nf6
- 2. c4 c5
- 3. b4 — White gambits the b-pawn to seize the center with d4 and e4.
The ECO code is most often A13–A20 under English Opening sidelines.
Main Line Sample
After 6. e4 White already occupies the center, while the half-open a- and b- files give chances for rook activity.
Strategic Features
- Central Domination: White strives for d4-e4 pawns supported by Nc3 and Bc4.
- Open Files for Rooks: The sacrificed b-pawn opens lines on the queenside reminiscent of Benko-type pressure—but with an extra tempo.
- Color-Reversed Tactics: Because the gambit is “one tempo up” over the original Blumenfeld, Black must tread carefully; natural moves can run into tactical shots on e6 or c5.
Historical & Modern Use
The line entered grandmaster practice in the 1980s through English-opening specialists such as Tony Miles and later gained occasional attention from players like Boris Avrukh and Baadur Jobava, who appreciate its shock value.
Illustrative Game
- Miles – Browne, Biel 1986: White unleashed 3. b4, sacrificed a second pawn, and steam-rolled the center to win in 29 moves.
Interesting Facts
- The reversed gambit has never been definitively refuted; engines already give near-equal chances after best play, validating the pawn sacrifice.
- Because it often arises from a Symmetrical English, many opponents are caught off-guard on move three.
- Not to be confused with the Blumenfeld Counter-Gambit Accepted for Black, which begins with 4…b5—here the extra tempo shifts the evaluation significantly.