Reti Opening Tennison Gambit
Reti Opening
Definition
The Reti Opening is defined by the move 1. Nf3, named after the Czechoslovak-Austrian grandmaster Richard Réti (1889-1929), one of the leading figures of the hypermodern school. 1. Nf3 avoids an immediate occupation of the center with pawns, instead controlling it from a distance and aiming for a flexible, transpositional game.
Typical Move Orders
- Main line: 1. Nf3 d5 2. c4 (the classical Réti)
- King’s Indian Attack set-up: 1. Nf3 Nf6 2. g3 g6 3. Bg2 Bg7 4. O-O …
- English transposition: 1. Nf3 c5 2. c4, reaching an English Opening with colors reversed.
Strategic Ideas
- Hypermodern Center Control – White influences d4 and e5 with pieces (Nf3, g3, Bg2) rather than occupying them immediately with pawns.
- Transpositional Weapon – Depending on Black’s replies, the Réti can morph into Queen’s Gambit, Catalan, English, or even King’s Indian Attack structures.
- Delayed Commitment – Because White’s pawns stay flexible, he can adapt to virtually any defense.
Historical and Practical Significance
Réti used his opening to great effect in the 1920s, most famously defeating World Champion José Raúl Capablanca in New York 1924—Capablanca’s first classical loss in eight years. The line became a symbol of hypermodern thought, challenging the classical dogma that pawns must seize the center immediately.
Modern elite players such as Vladimir Kramnik, Magnus Carlsen, and Wesley So include 1. Nf3 in their repertoires for its flexibility and avoidance of deeply analyzed main-line theory.
Model Game
[[Pgn|Nf3|d5|c4|e6|g3|Nf6|Bg2|Be7|O-O|O-O|d4|dxc4|Qc2|a6|Qxc4|b5|Qc2|Bb7|a4|a6|Na3|Nbd7|Bf4|c5|dxc5|Bxc5|Rfd1|Nd5|Ng5|g6|Ne4|Be7|Bh6|Re8|axb5|axb5|Rxa8|Bxa8|Nc3 |fen|r1b1r1k1/1b2bppB/p1n1p1p1/1ppn4/4N3/NP6/PPQ2PPP/R2R2K1 b - - 0 24|arrows|d7b6|squares|c4|]]Interesting Facts
- Réti’s 1923 book “Modern Ideas in Chess” popularized the hypermodern concept epitomized by his opening.
- The first world championship match decided primarily by Réti systems was Kramnik vs. Kasparov (London 2000), where Kramnik repeatedly played 1. Nf3 and won the title.
- Because of its transpositional nature, databases often classify a single Réti game under multiple ECO codes (A04–A09).
Tennison Gambit
Definition
The Tennison Gambit arises after 1. Nf3 d5 2. e4!? or, by transposition, 1. e4 d5 2. Nf3. It is named after the American-Norwegian player Otto Mandrup Tennison (1834-1909). White sacrifices a pawn to open lines and launch a rapid attack—especially against the sensitive f7-square.
Core Variations
- 2…dxe4 3. Ng5 (the Lemberg Variation) – White immediately doubles down on f7-pressure.
- 2…dxe4 3. Ne5!? (the Tartakower Line) – Aiming at a later d3 recapture with piece activity.
- Declined: 2…e6 or 2…c6, when White usually continues with d3, Nc3, and Bf4, enjoying development for the pawn.
Strategic Themes
- Rapid Development – Bishops often head to c4 and b5; the queen can jump to h5 or e2.
- Targeting f7 – Knight on g5 and bishop on c4 coordinate threats of Nxf7 or Bxf7+.
- Psychological Weapon – The gambit is rare in professional play, serving mainly as a surprise choice in rapid and blitz.
Representative Trap
The classic Tennison trap (after 1. Nf3 d5 2. e4 dxe4 3. Ng5 Nf6 4. Bc4 e6 5. Nc3 Qd4? 6. Qe2! Bc5? 7. Nb5 Na6 8. Nxd4) wins material. Many club players have fallen into similar tactical nets.
Historical and Practical Notes
Although Otto Tennison employed the idea as early as the 1890s, it never gained mainstream acceptance due to Black’s solid defensive resources (3…Nf6 4. Nc3 Bf5!). Even so, the gambit remains popular among online players and streamers for its trap-laden nature.
Example Miniature
[[Pgn|Nf3|d5|e4|dxe4|Ng5|Nf6|Bc4|e6|Nc3|Be7|Ngxe4|Nxe4|Nxe4|O-O|d4|Nc6|c3|e5|d5|Na5|Bd3|Qxd5|Nf6+ |arrows|g5f7|squares|f7|]]Interesting Facts
- Sometimes called the “Tennison Gambit (Tartakower Attack)” because grandmaster Savielly Tartakower briefly experimented with it.
- In databases, the gambit is filed under multiple codes: A06 (Réti move order) and B01 (Scandinavian move order).
- World Champion Magnus Carlsen tried a Tennison-style pawn sacrifice against Wesley So in an online blitz game (chess.com Blitz 2021), showing its continued surprise value at the highest level.