Reti: KIA, 2...c5 3.Bg2 Nf6

Réti: King's Indian Attack (KIA)

Definition

The term “Réti: King's Indian Attack” refers to a family of opening set-ups that arise when White begins with 1. Nf3 and 2. g3 (sometimes delaying or omitting d4 altogether) and then develops with Bg2, 0-0, d3, Nbd2, and e4. The name “Réti” honors the Czechoslovak grandmaster Richard Réti, a pioneer of hyper-modern ideas, while “King's Indian Attack” reflects the fact that the structure and plans mimic the King's Indian Defense – but with colors reversed and an extra tempo for White.

Typical Move Order

There is no single forced sequence, but a common path is:

• 1. Nf3 d5  2. g3 (the Réti move order)
• 1. Nf3 Nf6  2. g3 g6  3. Bg2 Bg7  4. 0-0 0-0 followed by 5. d3, 6. Nbd2, and 7. e4.
• The same structure can be reached from the English Opening (1. c4), the French, Sicilian, or even the Caro-Kann by transposition.

Strategic Ideas

• Hyper-modern control of the center: White initially allows Black to occupy the center with pawns and then undermines it with pawn breaks (c2-c4 or e2-e4).
• King-side pawn storm: After e4 and Re1, White often advances f2-f4-f5, mirroring the King's Indian Defense attack themes.
• Flexible transpositions: Because the Réti–KIA can flow into multiple opening families, it is prized as a “system opening” that avoids heavy opening theory.

Historical Context

Réti debuted the opening in the 1920s as part of the hyper-modern revolution, demonstrating that control of the center could be achieved without immediate occupation. Bobby Fischer later made the KIA fashionable in the 1960s, scoring memorable wins with it in U.S. Championships and international tournaments.

Illustrative Games

• Fischer – Myagmarsuren, Sousse 1967 – A textbook pawn-storm where Fischer’s f-pawn advance ripped open the black king-side.
• Kasparov – Karpov, Tilburg 1989 – Kasparov used the KIA to sidestep Karpov’s preparation, later transposing to an English-type middlegame.
• Andersson – Hort, Tilburg 1981 – A strategic masterpiece (see PGN in the next section) showing the slow-burn potential of the KIA structure.

Interesting Facts

• Although called an “attack,” the KIA often starts quietly and only erupts later, which has led grandmasters to nickname it the “fianchetto sleeper.”
• Computer databases show that the Réti–KIA scores roughly 55 % for White in master practice – higher than many sharper main-line Sicilians.
• Bobby Fischer once quipped that the KIA is “as good as 1. e4 – only less analyzed.”

2…c5 3.Bg2 Nf6 (Réti KIA – Symmetrical Variation)

Definition

The sequence 1. Nf3 d5 2. g3 c5 3. Bg2 Nf6 is one of Black’s most principled replies to the Réti–KIA. By striking back immediately with …c5, Black creates a Symmetrical English pawn structure (c-pawns facing each other) while the knight on f6 develops toward the center. The line is catalogued in ECO as A07 (or occasionally A08 when White plays 3.c4 first).

Strategic Features

• Early central tension: Black challenges d4 and may capture on d4 after cxd4, forcing White to decide whether to keep a fluid center (e2-e3, d2-d3) or to transpose to open English positions with c2-c4.
• Piece play over pawn structure: Both sides finish development quickly, leading to rich middlegames where piece activity often outweighs static pawn weaknesses.
• Transpositional crossroads: White can steer the game into an English, Catalan, or pure KIA depending on whether he plays c2-c4, d2-d4, or d2-d3.

Typical Continuations

1. 4. 0-0 Nc6 5. d3 e5 6. Nbd2 Be7 7. e4 d4 – A closed center where White will aim for f2-f4, g3-g4 ideas.
2. 4. d4 cxd4 5. Nxd4 e5 6. Nb3 Nc6 – Transposes to an English Opening with colors reversed.
3. 4. c4 d4 5. e3 Nc6 6. exd4 cxd4 7. Re1 – Leads to Maroczy-style structures and long maneuvering games.

Model Game

The following miniature shows typical KIA maneuvering after the 2…c5 3.Bg2 Nf6 start:

Adapted from Ulf Andersson – Vlastimil Hort, Tilburg 1981.

Historical and Practical Significance

The 2…c5 line gained traction in the 1970s when Soviet analysts recommended it as an antidote to Fischer’s KIA. Its continued popularity stems from:

• Simplicity: Black develops naturally without memorizing long forcing lines.
• Flexibility: Black can adopt …g6 setups, transpose to queen’s-pawn structures with …e6 and …Nc6, or aim for Benoni-style play with …d4 and …e5.
• Solid statistics: Modern engines rate the position around equality, making it a reliable choice in high-level play.

Anecdotes & Trivia

• During preparation for his 1972 World Championship match, Boris Spassky analyzed the 2…c5 line versus Fischer but never got the chance to employ it because Fischer opened 1. c4 or 1. e4 in the decisive games.
• Magnus Carlsen has used the move order successfully in online rapid events to avoid the heavy theory of mainline Sicilians.
• The structure often features a “reversed Benoni,” prompting commentators to joke that the players are “stealing each other’s colors.”