Réti Opening: Advance Variation

About this variation

Black pushes 2...d4, gaining space and cramping White's knight.

The Advance Variation of the Réti is 1. Nf3 d5 2. c4 d4. Black pushes the d-pawn past White's c-pawn and gains space in the center, cramping White's knight on b1 and taking the c3 and e3 squares. The structure resembles a reversed Benoni, but with Black having the space and White playing for pressure against the advanced pawn.

White's main plans are e3 or b4 to undermine the d4 pawn, and g3 with Bg2 to put pressure on the long diagonal. The line with b4 aims to gain queenside space and use the c4 pawn to support play against Black's center. White can also play e3 and exd4 to open the e-file and target the d4 pawn.

Black's typical set-up includes ...c5 to support d4, ...Nc6, ...e5 and ...Bd6, building a strong center. Black aims to keep the d4 pawn and use the space it gives, sometimes with play on the kingside. If White's attack on d4 fails, Black can be very comfortable.

White must be careful not to let Black's center become too strong, and Black must be careful not to overextend. The d4 pawn can become a target if White's pieces gather around it, and it can also become a strength if Black supports it well.

The Advance Variation suits Black players who like space and a clear central structure. White players should learn the main plans against it, since it is Black's third most common reply in master games, after 2...e6 and 2...c6.

Studying reversed Benoni structures is useful for both sides, since many of the same ideas, such as the queenside majority and the pressure on the advanced center pawn, apply with colors reversed. Players who know those ideas will find the Advance Variation easier to handle.

White can also delay the fight for d4 with d3 and e4, aiming for a King's Indian Defense structure with colors reversed (pawns on c4, d3 and e4 against Black's d4).

It is one of the main lines of the Réti Opening.