Réti Opening: Réti Accepted

About this variation

Black takes the pawn with 2...dxc4. White can win it back with e3 and Bxc4 or with Qa4+.

The Réti Accepted is 1. Nf3 d5 2. c4 dxc4. Black takes the pawn, giving up the center for a moment. White usually regains it with e3 and Bxc4, or with Qa4+ and Qxc4, or with Na3 and Nxc4. The line often leads to open positions where piece activity matters more than structure.

White's main plan is to regain the pawn and use the central majority. After e3 and Bxc4, White develops with O-O, d4 and Nc3, and the game can resemble a Queen's Gambit Accepted. With Qa4+, White regains the pawn quickly but spends time with the queen.

Black's typical ideas include ...Nf6, ...e6 and ...c5, developing quickly and challenging White's center. Black can also try to keep the pawn with ...b5, though this can weaken the queenside. In most lines, Black aims for active development and a quick ...c5.

The Réti Accepted is a principled reply, but it gives White a central majority and easy development. Black must be careful not to fall behind, since White's pieces can become very active in the open position.

This line suits Black players who like open positions and are comfortable in Queen's Gambit Accepted structures. White players should learn the main ways to regain the pawn and the typical plans with a central majority.

A common mistake for Black is trying to hold the extra pawn at all costs, which often leads to a weak queenside and slow development. A common mistake for White is to regain the pawn slowly and let Black develop freely. Both sides do best by focusing on quick, harmonious development.

After 3. e3, Black sometimes tries 3...Be6, keeping the pawn for a while and aiming to complicate White's development. White usually meets that with Na3 and Nxc4, or with Ng5 to go after the bishop.

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