Key ideas
- In the Réti Accepted (2...dxc4) Black gives up the centre. White wins the pawn back with e3 and Bxc4, or at once with Qa4+, and gets free development.
- The Advance Variation (2...d4) gains space, like a Benoni with colours reversed. White hits back with e3 or b4, and the d4 pawn can become either a strength or a target.
- Against 2...c6 Black keeps a solid pawn on d5. In the Anglo-Slav lines White fianchettoes with b3 and Bb2 or with g3 and Bg2, and Black develops the light-squared bishop to f5 (the New York and London Defensive Systems) or g4 (the Capablanca and Torre Systems) before ...e6.
- The Réti often transposes to the English, the Catalan or a Queen's Gambit once White plays d4, so it suits players who know those structures.
Plans for White
Fianchetto one or both bishops, castle, and use the c4 pawn, and later b4 or e4, to undermine Black's centre once your pieces are ready.
Plans for Black
Keep d5 supported with ...c6 or ...e6, develop the light-squared bishop before shutting it in, and look for ...e5 to claim the centre while White plays on the flanks.