← Réti Opening

Practice: Nimzowitsch-Larsen Setup

Double fianchetto with b3

White builds a double fianchetto with b3 and g3, controlling both long diagonals. A hypermodern system that emphasises piece activity over central pawn occupation.

1. Nf3 d5
2. b3 Nf6
3. Bb2 g6
4. g3 Bg7
5. Bg2 O-O
6. O-O c5
7. e3 Nc6
♟

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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

  • This setup combines ideas from the Reti and the Nimzowitsch-Larsen Attack
  • Both bishops on the long diagonals exert strong influence on the centre
  • White delays committing the d-pawn, keeping maximum flexibility

About this line

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