Réti Opening: Réti Accepted
The Réti Accepted is 1.Nf3 d5 2.c4 dxc4, where Black takes the c4 pawn and gives up the d5 square. White wants to win the pawn back with e3 and Bxc4 or e4, while Black uses the time for ...Nf6, ...a6 and ...c5.
- Moves
- 1.Nf3 d5 2.c4 dxc4
- ECO
- A09
- Engine
- +0.31 · a slight edge for White (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
- Played
- 1,622 games in our lichess sample
- White scores
- 56.9%
Key ideas for both sides
White
- Play e3 and Bxc4, then d4 for a Queen's Gambit Accepted style center, as in the top engine line.
- The bolder e4 takes the whole center first and recaptures on c4 with the bishop afterward.
- Qa4 with check is also possible to regain the pawn at once if Black tries to hold it.
Black
- Develop with ...Nf6 and ...e6 rather than defending the c4 pawn with more pawns.
- Strike back at the center with ...c5 and ...Nc6 once White has recaptured on c4.
- Use ...a6 and ...b5 only to gain queenside space with tempo against a bishop on c4, not to keep the pawn.
Plans and pawn structure
After White regains c4, the game resembles a Queen's Gambit Accepted. White has a mobile center with d4 and e3 or e4 and good bishop activity, often with a4 to restrain ...b5. Black plans ...c5 to challenge d4 and ...Nc6 to press it, aiming for a comfortable structure with active pieces. If White's d-pawn becomes isolated after exchanges on d4, Black blockades it with a knight on d5.
What the engine plays from here
Stockfish 17.1 at depth 20 rates the position +0.31: a slight edge for White. Its three top choices for White:
- +0.31 3.e3 Nf6 4.Bxc4 a6 5.d4 e6
- +0.27 3.e4 c5 4.Bxc4 Nc6 5.b4 e6
- +0.22 3.Nc3 a6 4.e3 Nf6 5.Bxc4 b5
Pawns, from White's side.
How it scores on lichess
1,622 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 56.9%.
Light: White wins. Grey: draws. Dark: Black wins. About the sample.
Where it goes next
- Réti Gambit, Keres Variation3.e3 · rare
How to play against it
As White, do not panic about the missing pawn. Play e3 and Bxc4, or Qa4 with check, and you get it back with a good center. As Black, avoid holding c4 with ...b5 too early, since a4 then breaks up the queenside and leaves loose pawns behind.
Questions
What are the moves of the Réti Opening: Réti Accepted?
The Réti Opening: Réti Accepted starts 1.Nf3 d5 2.c4 dxc4. Its ECO code is A09.
Is the Réti Opening: Réti Accepted good for Black?
Stockfish 17.1 rates the position +0.31 at depth 20, which is a slight edge for White. In 1,622 lichess games from our sample, White scored 56.9%. A sound, solid choice for Black that leads to Queen's Gambit Accepted play; White keeps a small, easy initiative.
What is the main idea of the Réti Opening: Réti Accepted?
Black takes the c4 pawn but should not try to keep it. White recaptures with e3 and Bxc4 or Qa4, and the fight then turns on White's center against Black's ...c5 break.
What should White play next?
The engine's first choice is e3, with e4 and Nc3 close behind. 3.e3 prepares Bxc4 and d4, regaining the pawn with a healthy center and quick development.
Related lines
Updated October 2026. Sources and method.