♞Chess Trainer
A09Play as White10 lines to train

Learn the Réti Opening

Hypermodern system — control the center with pieces and fianchetto, not pawns.

Practice this openingUnderstand the moves
Main line

1. Nf3 d5 2. c4 d4 3. e3 Nc6 4. exd4 Nxd4 5. d3 Nf6 6. g3

1.Nf31…d52.c42…d43.e33…Nc64.exd44…Nxd45.d35…Nf66.g3

The idea

Why this opening works

The Réti Opening avoids early pawn commitments, letting you develop flexibly and transpose into favorable structures. The fianchettoed bishop on g2 controls the long diagonal while c4 challenges the center. Opponents who insist on occupying the center with pawns often find their position overextended.

What to remember

  • Know the first 8 half-moves of the main line.
  • Understand the purpose of your key moves before adding more theory.
  • Practice the branches until you can respond without move-order guessing.

Move by move

The moves worth understanding

Theory sticks when every move has a job. Start with these ideas from the trainer.

Scroll down through 8 positions

  1. Position 1 of 8

    1.Nf3

    g1 → f3

    Controls the center without committing pawns. A flexible first move that keeps all options open — you can transpose into many different openings.

  2. Position 2 of 8

    2.c4

    c2 → c4

    Challenges Black's d5 pawn from the side. This is the hypermodern idea — attack the center indirectly rather than occupying it with pawns.

  3. Position 3 of 8

    3.e3

    e2 → e3

    Opens a diagonal for the dark-squared bishop and prepares d4 if needed. A flexible pawn move that doesn't overcommit.

  4. Position 4 of 8

    4.exd4

    e3 → d4

    Captures to open the center when your pieces are better developed and ready to exploit open lines.

  5. Position 5 of 8

    5.d3

    d2 → d3

    Solidifies the center and supports e4 if you want to expand later. Keeps the position flexible.

  6. Position 6 of 8

    6.g3

    g2 → g3

    Prepares to fianchetto the bishop to g2, where it will control the long diagonal from a1 to h8. A powerful positional setup.

  7. Position 7 of 8

    4.Bg2

    f1 → g2

    The fianchettoed bishop — controls the long diagonal and puts pressure on Black's center from a distance. It's especially strong when the center opens up.

  8. Position 8 of 8

    5.O-O

    e1 → g1

    Gets the king safe and activates the rook. With the bishop on g2, your kingside is solid and your pieces are harmonious.

Trainer variations

Lines you’ll meet

These are representative branches from the drill, not a demand to memorize everything at once.

Line 11. Nf3 d5 2. c4 d4 3. e3 Nc6 4. exd4 Nxd4 5. d3 Nf6 6. g3
Line 21. Nf3 d5 2. c4 d4 3. e3 c5 4. exd4 cxd4 5. d3 Nc6 6. g3
Line 31. Nf3 d5 2. c4 e6 3. g3 Nf6 4. Bg2 Be7 5. O-O O-O 6. b3
Line 41. Nf3 d5 2. c4 e6 3. g3 Nf6 4. Bg2 c6 5. O-O Nbd7 6. b3
Line 51. Nf3 d5 2. c4 c6 3. g3 Nf6 4. Bg2 Bf5 5. O-O e6 6. b3
Line 61. Nf3 d5 2. c4 c6 3. g3 Nf6 4. Bg2 dxc4 5. O-O Nbd7 6. b3

Quick answers

Réti Opening questions

What is the Réti Opening?

Hypermodern system — control the center with pieces and fianchetto, not pawns. The Réti Opening avoids early pawn commitments, letting you develop flexibly and transpose into favorable structures. The fianchettoed bishop on g2 controls the long diagonal while c4 challenges the center. Opponents who insist on occupying the center with pawns often find their position overextended.

What is the main line of the Réti Opening?

This trainer starts with 1. Nf3 d5 2. c4 d4 3. e3 Nc6 4. exd4 Nxd4 5. d3 Nf6 6. g3. The exact move order can change by variation, so learn the purpose of each move as well as the sequence.

Is the Réti Opening good to learn as White?

It can be a useful part of a White repertoire if its positions match how you like to play. Learn the main plan first, then use the drill to test the recurring replies.

Study next

A07King's Indian AttackA flexible kingside fianchetto system that delays central commitment and builds a familiar attack. White aims to complete the setup, close the center with e5, and attack the king.1. Nf3 d5 2. g3 Nf6 3. Bg2 e6 4. O-O Be7 5. d3C50Italian GameClassic development with Bc4 targeting f7. Solid and principled.1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bc4 Bc5 4. c3 Nf6 5. d4 exd4 6. cxd4 Bb4+ 7. Bd2 Bxd2+ 8. Nbxd2 d5 9. exd5C60Ruy LopezOne of the oldest and most respected openings, pressuring the knight defending e5.1. e4 e5 2. Nf3 Nc6 3. Bb5 a6 4. Ba4 Nf6 5. O-O Be7 6. Re1 b5 7. Bb3 O-O 8. d3

Turn the guide into recall

Now play the Réti Opening from memory.

The drill gives you an opponent reply, checks your response, and repeats the branches that need more work.

Start the free drillAll opening guides