1.Nf3 controls e5 and d4 without committing a pawn. White can follow with c4 (English or Réti), d4 (Queen's Pawn systems) or g3, Bg2 and d3 (the King's Indian Attack), depending on Black's reply.
Several of Black's replies are named as invitations: 1...c5 (the Sicilian Invitation), 1...c6 (the Slav Invitation), 1...e6 (the Queen's Gambit Invitation) and 1...d6 (the Pirc Invitation) each ask White to play e4 or d4 and enter a familiar opening.
In the Reversed Grünfeld (1...d5 2.g3 c5 3.Bg2 Nc6 4.d4), White plays a Grünfeld setup with an extra tempo and attacks Black's centre with c4 and the bishop on g2.
Against 1...f5, the Dutch Variation, White can play sharply with 2.e4, the Lisitsyn Gambit, which aims at Black's weakened kingside.
Plans for White
Wait for Black to commit, then choose the setup that fits: c4 against ...d5, e4 against ...d6 or ...c5, and a kingside fianchetto when you want a quieter game.
Plans for Black
Take your share of the centre with ...d5 or ...Nf6 and keep your own options open. Choose replies that lead to openings you already play, since White can transpose.
Watch out
The Lisitsyn Gambit sets a mating trap: after 1.Nf3 f5 2.e4 fxe4 3.Ng5 Nf6 4.d3 exd3 5.Bxd3, a natural move such as 5...Nc6 allows 6.Nxh7, and the recapture 6...Nxh7?? is met by 7.Bg6#.
Puzzles from the Zukertort Opening
Tactics that came up in real games played with this opening, from easiest to hardest.
