← Réti Opening

Practice: Reti Gambit

Sacrificing a pawn for activity

When Black advances to d4, White sacrifices a pawn with b4 to open lines and develop quickly. An aggressive way to handle the Advance variation.

1. Nf3 d5
2. c4 d4
3. b4 c5
4. bxc5 Nc6
5. d3 e5
6. Bb2 Bxc5
7. g3 Nf6
8. Bg2
♟

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Key strategic ideas

  • White delays putting a pawn in the centre, instead developing with Nf3, g3, Bg2, and c4. The centre is controlled from a distance.
  • The key idea is to let Black occupy the centre first, then strike back with d4 when Black's pieces are not well placed.
  • The Réti is very flexible. It can turn into a King's Indian Attack, an English Opening, or a Catalan depending on what Black does.

Common mistakes & traps

  • After 1.Nf3 d5 2.g3 Nf6 3.Bg2 c5 4.O-O Nc6, White can strike with 5.d4! in the centre if Black is not careful about the pawn structure.
  • The Réti Gambit (1.Nf3 d5 2.c4 d4 3.b4!?) is a tricky queenside gambit. Black who grabs the pawn can end up in a cramped, passive position.

Pawn structure notes

Unlike d4 or e4 openings, the Réti keeps pawns flexible. White's c4 and g3 prepare centre control without fixing the structure early. The pawns often stay fluid until well into the middlegame.

Tips

  • 3.b4 is the Reti Gambit — White offers a pawn for rapid development
  • Black accepting with 3...dxc3 leads to White having active pieces and open files
  • A sharp line that keeps the game in tactical territory from the very start

About this line

This line is rated advanced. Practice it repeatedly until you can play the entire sequence without thinking. The in-app trainer tracks your perfect streaks and celebrates milestones.