Reti: Advance, Anglo-Polish Attack
Réti: Advance
Definition & Core Idea
The expression “Réti: Advance” (sometimes listed in databases as “Réti Opening, Advance Variation,” ECO A11) refers to positions that arise after the moves
1. Nf3 d5 2. c4 d4
Here Black immediately advances the d-pawn a further square to d4, grabbing space and shutting the c3-square to hamper White’s normal queenside development. The line is a direct, combative response to Réti’s hyper-modern idea of attacking the center from the flanks; Black simply occupies the center and says, “Prove you can undermine me.”
Typical Move Orders
- 1. Nf3 d5 2. c4 d4 3. e3 Nc6 4. exd4 Nxd4 – White strikes at the over-extended pawn immediately.
- 1. Nf3 d5 2. c4 d4 3. g3 Nc6 4. Bg2 e5 – Black tries to build a full pawn center.
- 1. Nf3 d5 2. c4 d4 3. b4!? (Sokolsky twist) – a gambit approach aiming to undermine from the flank straight away.
Strategic Themes
- Space vs. Flexibility – Black’s pawn on d4 grants space but can become a long-term target.
- c-Pawn Leverage – White’s c-pawn (already on c4) often undermines d4 by cxd5 or pushing to c5.
- Minor-Piece Manoeuvres – White often reroutes a knight to c2 or a bishop to g2, piling pressure on d4.
- Transpositional Potential – After 3…Nc6 4…e5 positions can transpose to Benoni, King’s Indian, or even Philidor-like structures.
Historical & Notable Games
- Réti vs. Capablanca, New York 1924 – Although Capablanca declined …d4 in that game, Réti’s shocking win over the reigning World Champion popularised the entire opening family bearing his name.
- Karpov vs. Kasparov, World Championship (Seville) 1987, Game 17 – Kasparov used the Advance setup with Black to steer the struggle into less-charted waters; the game was eventually drawn after complex manoeuvring.
- Giri vs. So, Wijk aan Zee 2017 – A modern example where White patiently undermined the d-pawn with 3.g3 and 4.d3, eventually converting a small structural edge.
Illustrative Mini-Game
The diagram (load the PGN to view) shows a typical situation: Black’s queen sits actively on d4 but may soon be chased, while White has good chances of re-establishing central influence with f4 or Be3.
Interesting Facts
- The ECO code A11 is shared by both the Modern and Advance variations of the Réti; databases sometimes merge them, so be sure to check the move order.
- The term “Advance” is used in other openings (e.g., Caro-Kann Advance). In every case it indicates that one side pushes a central pawn one step further than in the parent line.
- Because the early …d4 can lead to Benoni-type positions after 3.e3 c5, some players prepare by studying those structures rather than traditional Réti material.
Anglo-Polish Attack
Definition & Naming
The Anglo-Polish Attack is an off-beat line of the English Opening characterised by an immediate or very early advance of the b-pawn by White. The most direct form is
1. c4 b5
Here White (from the Anglo- side, i.e., the English Opening) adopts the ideas of the Polish Defense (1…b5 versus 1.d4) in reverse. Hence the hybrid name “Anglo-Polish.” In some repertoires the term also includes positions reached by 1. Nf3 Nf6 2. c4 b5 or 1. c4 b6 2. b4, but the defining feature remains the early push of White’s b-pawn to the fifth rank.
Typical Move Orders
- Main Line: 1. c4 b5 2. cxb5 a6 3. d4 axb5 4. Nf3 – White accepts the pawn offer but returns it for rapid development.
- Declined: 1. c4 b5 2. Nf3 – White ignores the pawn and focuses on rapid kingside castling.
- Anglo-Polish by transposition: 1. Nf3 Nf6 2. c4 b5.
Strategic Themes
- Queenside Space Grab – The thrust b5/b4 seizes territory and may prepare Bb7, putting pressure on e4.
- Imbalanced Structure – Early pawn advances create holes (c6, c5, a6) that the opponent can exploit if the initiative fades.
- Psychological Weapon – Because the Anglo-Polish is rare, it can pull opponents away from their preparation. It is a favourite of adventurous players looking for original play.
Sample Continuation
After 6…Bb7, Black (playing “Polish style” a tempo down) claims the long diagonal, while White enjoys a lead in development and open lines for both bishops.
Historical & Notable Games
- Nakamura vs. Jobava, Tbilisi GP 2015 – Jobava essayed 1…b5 as Black; Nakamura later adopted 1.c4 b5 himself, citing surprise value.
- Planinc vs. Uhlmann, Skopje 1972 – A classic illustration of the ebb-and-flow nature of the line; White’s queenside pawns rolled while Black’s central counter-punch fell short.
- Short vs. Kasparov, Linares 1993 (blitz) – Short employed the Anglo-Polish to steer the game into tactical chaos, eventually holding the former World Champion to a draw.
Practical Tips
- If You Play It as White
- Be ready to sacrifice the b-pawn; rapid development and central control matter more than material.
- Use the a-file: after …a6 bxa6, the open a-file often becomes a highway for a rook or queen.
- If You Face It as Black
- Do not feel obliged to capture on b5 immediately; consolidating the center with …e5 or …d5 frequently works well.
- Watch out for Nb5/Nd6 jumps exploiting the weakened dark squares.
Interesting Facts
- The earliest recorded game with 1.c4 b5 dates back to the 19th-century English master Henry Bird, an inveterate experimenter.
- Modern engines initially assess the pawn sacrifice sceptically for the b-pawn side, but after deep calculation many lines resolve to roughly equal – a testimony to the opening’s practical venom.
- Because of its reversible nature (Polish Defense vs. English), the opening is an excellent case study in the concept of tempo in chess openings.