Réti Opening

London / Slav Setup with 4...Bf5

When Black brings the light-squared Bishop outside the pawn chain with ...Bf5, White develops smoothly with b3, g3, and d3, planning queenside expansion.

1.Nf3 d5 2.c4 c6 3.b3 Nf6 4.g3 Bf5 5.Bg2 e6 6.Bb2 Nbd7 7.O-O h6 8.d3 Be7 9.Nbd2 O-O 10.a3 a5 11.Qc2 Bh7 12.Bc3 b5

Move by move

  1. 1.Nf3 – The classical Réti opening 1.Nf3: develops the knight toward the center, controls d4 and e5, and keeps all central pawn options open.
  2. 1...d5 – A solid response from Black: 1...d5 stakes an immediate claim in the center and clears the path for the light-squared bishop.
  3. 2.c4 – The hallmark thrust 2.c4: immediately challenges Black's central outpost from afar, offering a wing pawn to undermine d5.
  4. 2...c6 – Black chooses the solid Slav structure with 2...c6: supports the d5-pawn while keeping the light-squared bishop completely free.
  5. 3.b3 – Quiet preparation with 3.b3: White prepares to fianchetto the dark-squared bishop to b2, keeping maximum strategic flexibility.
  6. 3...Nf6 – Natural development with 3...Nf6: controls the key central squares e4 and d5 while initiating smooth kingside mobilization.
  7. 4.g3 – Preparing the second fianchetto: 4.g3 clears the path for the king's bishop to g2, exerting enduring diagonal pressure on the center.
  8. 4...Bf5 – The bishop steps outside the pawn chain with 4...Bf5: seizes an active diagonal before the e6-pawn restricts its movement.
  9. 5.Bg2 – White posts the bishop on 5.Bg2: dominates the long diagonal and dampens any early central counterplay Black might attempt.
  10. 5...e6 – Solidifying the center with 5...e6: Black constructs a firm Slav pawn pyramid on c6, d5, and e6 to guard the position securely.
  11. 6.Bb2 – Completing the double fianchetto with 6.Bb2: the bishop commands the a1-h8 diagonal and monitors the critical e5-outpost.
  12. 6...Nbd7 – Solid knight development with 6...Nbd7: reinforces the e5-square and supports future pawn breaks without blocking the c-file.
  13. 7.O-O – White castles kingside with 7.O-O: the king is completely safe and the f1-rook stands ready to support central breakthroughs.
  14. 7...h6 – Prudent prophylaxis with 7...h6: provides a safe retreat square on h7 for the light-squared bishop against knight jumps like Nh4.
  15. 8.d3 – The flexible push 8.d3: controls the c4 and e4 squares while laying the groundwork for the thematic central break e2-e4.
  16. 8...Be7 – Black develops quietly with 8...Be7: brings the bishop into play and prepares to tuck the king safely away on the kingside.
  17. 9.Nbd2 – Flexible development with 9.Nbd2: avoids blocking the b2-bishop and works harmoniously to prepare the liberating e4-break.
  18. 9...O-O – Black castles kingside with 9...O-O: both sides have secured their kings, setting the stage for deep strategic maneuvering.
  19. 10.a3 – Queenside preparation with 10.a3: controls b4 and sets up future queenside pawn advances in tandem with the queen on c2.
  20. 10...a5 – Prophylactic reaction with 10...a5: slows down White's b4-push and stakes an early spatial claim on the queenside flank.
  21. 11.Qc2 – The queen steps calmly to 11.Qc2: coordinates the rooks, defends e4, and keeps a watchful eye on the semi-open c-file against enemy counterplay.
  22. 11...Bh7 – Tactical retreat with 11...Bh7: shelters the bishop from prospective central pawn forks while preserving diagonal influence.
  23. 12.Bc3 – Reorganizing with 12.Bc3: vacates the b2-square for the heavy pieces and prepares the queenside breakthrough with b3-b4.
  24. 12...b5 – Black counters actively on the flank with 12...b5: seeks queenside counterplay and fights to lock down White's expanding pawns.

How to exploit the position

White develops solidly with a double fianchetto, preparing queenside expansion

Master tips

Restrict Black's Bishop

Black's Bishop on f5 looks active but can become a target for White's pawn advances

Model games