Réti Opening

The Réti Opening is a chess opening whose "traditional" or "classic method" begins with the moves:

1. Nf3 d5

2. c4

White attacks Black's pawn from the flank. If Black defends the pawn with 2...c6 or 2...e6, this transposes to the English Opening. Thus, the two main independent lines of the Réti begin with either Black pushing by with 2...d4, keeping the game closed, or capturing with 2...dxc4, opening the game. The former line resembles a Benoni Defense with the colors reversed. Similarly to Black in the Benoni, White usually fianchettoes the kingside bishop.

The opening is named after Czechoslovak chess player Richard Réti (1889–1929). It is considered a hypermodern opening due to White's avoidance of direct occupation of the center with pawns, unlike most openings. Réti championed the hypermodernism movement, which advocated the center being dominated from the wings rather than by direct occupation, and the opening reflects his style. White often fianchettoes both bishops, castles kingside, and avoids playing e4 and d4, instead expanding on the queenside, frequently playing b4. The result of this may be described as the Réti System.

In the Encyclopaedia of Chess Openings, the opening is found in codes A04–A09, where it is closely associated with the King's Indian Attack. The opening was employed by Gukesh Dommaraju in the eleventh game of the World Chess Championship 2024 against Ding Liren, resulting in a win for Gukesh.