French - Reti (Spielmann) variation

The French – Réti (Spielmann) Variation arises after 1.e4 e6 2.b3. ECO code: C00.

White fianchettoes the queen's bishop, combining Nimzowitsch-Larsen Attack ideas with 1.e4. After 2...d5, White plays Bb2, exerting pressure on the long diagonal. The variation avoids main-line French theory but gives Black comfortable play with ...dxe4 or ...Nf6.