Réti Opening: Advance Variation
The Advance Variation of the Réti is 1.Nf3 d5 2.c4 d4, where Black pushes past the c4 pawn instead of defending d5. Black grabs space and cramps White's knights, while White plans to undermine the d4 pawn with b4, e3 and a fianchetto.
- Moves
- 1.Nf3 d5 2.c4 d4
- ECO
- A09
- Engine
- −0.06 · level (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
- Played
- 1,204 games in our lichess sample
- White scores
- 56.2%
Key ideas for both sides
White
- The Navara Gambit 3.b4 grabs queenside space and stops ...c5 from supporting d4 comfortably.
- Play e3 to challenge d4 at once; after ...dxe3 White recaptures and opens lines for the pieces.
- Fianchetto with g3 and Bg2 so the bishop presses on the long diagonal toward b7.
- Use d3 and e3 together to build a reversed Benoni-style setup and hit the advanced pawn.
Black
- Support d4 with ...c5 and ...Nc6, building a solid space advantage in the center.
- Add ...e5 and ...Nf6 so the d4 pawn has backing from three directions.
- Against b4, consider ...f6 and ...e5 as in the main engine line, building a big center chain.
Plans and pawn structure
The d4 pawn decides the game. White attacks it from the sides with e3 and b4 and wants pieces on the long diagonal after g3 and Bg2. Black aims to keep d4 with ...c5, ...e5 and ...Nc6, then gain more space. If White trades with exd4, Black often recaptures with a piece and gets an active knight on d4. White's queenside expansion with b4 and a3 gives counterplay if Black's center becomes rigid.
What the engine plays from here
Stockfish 17.1 at depth 20 rates the position −0.06: level. Its three top choices for White:
- −0.06 3.b4 f6 4.d3 e5 5.a3 Ne7
- −0.15 3.e3 c5 4.b4 Nf6 5.bxc5 Nc6
- −0.18 3.g3 c5 4.Bg2 Nc6 5.d3 Nf6
Pawns, from White's side.
How it scores on lichess
1,204 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 56.2%.
Light: White wins. Grey: draws. Dark: Black wins. About the sample.
Where it goes next
- Penguin Variation3.Rg1 · 0 games
- Advance Variation, Navara Gambit3.b4 · rare
- Reversed Blumenfeld Gambit3.e3 · rare
How to play against it
As White, hit the d4 pawn early with e3 or b4 instead of letting Black consolidate it. Do not drift with slow moves, since ...e5, ...c5 and ...Nc6 give Black a large center. Rg1 is a joke move that loses time.
Questions
What are the moves of the Réti Opening: Advance Variation?
The Réti Opening: Advance Variation starts 1.Nf3 d5 2.c4 d4. Its ECO code is A09.
Is the Réti Opening: Advance Variation good for Black?
Stockfish 17.1 rates the position −0.06 at depth 20, which is level. In 1,204 lichess games from our sample, White scored 56.2%. Good for Black players who like space and a clear plan; White needs accurate flank play to show the pawn is overextended.
What is the main idea of the Réti Opening: Advance Variation?
Black gains central space with a pawn on d4, cramping White. White fights back from the flanks with b4 and e3, trying to undermine that pawn before Black supports it with ...c5 and ...e5.
What should White play next?
The engine's first choice is b4, with e3 and g3 close behind. 3.b4 grabs space on the queenside and makes ...c5 harder, so Black must build support for d4 with ...f6 and ...e5 instead.
Related lines
Updated October 2026. Sources and method.