The Réti Opening is a hypermodern chess opening defined by the move 1.Nf3. ECO codes: A04–A09.

History

The opening is named after Richard Réti (1889–1929), a Czechoslovak chess player who was one of the leading proponents of the hypermodernist movement. According to Réti, the opening was introduced to master play "in the early part of 1923." It gained fame after Réti defeated World Champion José Raúl Capablanca at the 1924 New York tournament. The system was formally named after the game Réti–Rubinstein, Karlovy Vary 1923. Alexander Alekhine also played the Réti in the 1920s.

Main Lines & Variations

In its strictest sense, the Réti Opening is characterised by 1.Nf3 d5 2.c4, though 1.Nf3 alone is often called the Réti or Zukertort Opening. White fianchettoes at least one bishop (often both), avoids early e4 and d4 pushes, and controls the centre from the flanks.

After 1.Nf3 d5 2.c4, Black's principal responses are:

• 2...e6 or 2...c6 – Holding the d5-pawn; these often transpose into Queen\'s Gambit Declined or Slav Defence structures.

• 2...dxc4 – Giving up the centre; White regains with 3.e3, 3.e4, 3.Na3, or 3.Qa4+.

• 2...d4 – Pushing the pawn; White responds with 3.e3 or the sharper 3.b4.

Notable transpositions include:

• 2.c4 e6 3.d4 ? Queen\'s Gambit Declined

• 2.c4 e6 3.g3 Nf6 ? Neo-Catalan

• 2.c4 c6 3.d4 ? Slav Defence

Key Positions

After 1.Nf3 – White develops a piece flexibly, maintaining maximum transpositional potential.

Strategic Themes & Plans

White's strategy is quintessentially hypermodern: controlling the centre with pieces and flank pawns rather than occupying it directly. The bishop typically goes to g2 and/or b2, castling is kingside, and queenside expansion with b4 is a common plan. The Réti is also one of the most important transpositional devices in chess, capable of reaching Queen\'s Gambit, English Opening, Catalan, or King's Indian Attack positions. Most recently, Gukesh Dommaraju employed the Réti in his winning Game 11 of the 2024 World Chess Championship against Ding Liren.