Principles Behind the Reti Opening and Hypermodernism

Once described as the quintessence of hypermodernism (i.e. a school of thought in chess that upholds controlling the center from a distance rather than occupying the very center squares), the Reti Opening starts with 1 Kt - KB3, P - Q3. Other chess openings that can be placed in the same class include some of the Indian Defenses (e.g. Old Indian Defense, King's Indian Attack, Queen's Indian Defense), Alekhine's Defense, English Opening, and the Catalan Opening.

This opening was used by Richard Reti to win a match against the current Chess Champion of the World in 1924. The popularity of hypermodern openings, including the Reti Opening, began to decline around the 1930s. Though that is the case, the Reti Opening still remains an important part of any repertoire of openings any player should learn.

It has been said, and rather frankly at that, that the goal behind the Reti Opening is to establish a certain degree of control over the center and not entirely an occupation of the said position on the chessboard. We can accept this particular idea, but we should hold a certain degree of reservation toward it else we shall be misled into the other principles and goals of the Reti Opening (and that may include other hypermodern openings as well).

Saying that control of the center is the objective behind the Reti Opening is true in some ways, yet it also falls under an erroneous perception of this opening. The fact of behind this is that control isn't the only goal of this opening, to say that control is the goal is an oversimplification. The Reti Opening does in fact bring out White's center Pawns, only that it would be done when conditions are more favorable for White.

Hence, we can say that White is laying quite a subtle trap for Black, which is quite effective if the opponent is not familiar with actual goal behind the Reti.

One significant strategy employed by White is that of allowing the enemy to occupy the center but in such a way as to leave the occupation a little cramped. Those who are familiar with Alekhine's Defense will find echoes of the same strategy wherein White, as in the case of the Reti opening, takes advantages of the holes in Black's position.

Black may reply to the Reti Opening in the following (the next logical move for White is 2 P - QB4): first, is 2 ... P x P, which avoids a lot of possible complications, which may also be followed by ... P - QB4 and then inevitably by ... P - K4.

Next is 2 ... P - Q5, which is a reversed Benoni Counter Gambit. Another is 2 ... P - QB3 that maintains occupation of the center. Or yet, Black may opt for the orthodox reply of P - K3, though that does shuts the Queen's Bishop.

The Reti Opening should be part of any player's study should it come handy one time. Applying the principles behind chess openings remains the rule in this particular case.