Reti Gambit
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Mar 27, 2008
0
#2
It's not that much of a Gambit at all, as if accepted, you can instantly recover the pawn with Qa4+, though there are other more literally gambity lines.
Mar 27, 2008
0
#3
As Absurd says, it is not much of a gambit. It is rare for black to accept the gambit pawn. If black does not take the c4 pawn he will usually have pawns on c6, d5 and e6 (similar to Slav/Semi-Slav positions) with the distinct possibility of developing the light square bishop to f5 (New York system) or g4 (Capablanca system) before the pawn moves to e6. White often plays b3 to back up the c4 pawn and develop the bishop to b2. If you don't like the Nimzowitsch or Slav/Semi-Slav positions I don't think you will like the Reti. If you want to play 1. Nf3 but wish to avoid positions typical of queen's pawn openings I suggest the King's Indian Attack which can be played with 1. Nf3 or with 1. e4 against any reply other than e5 (except maybe d5). I have even used it against the Petroff with some success. White is aiming for the position shown below with a kingside attack to follow. The d2 knight may go to c4 via b3 or go to the kingside via f1 then h2 if white plays h3 to discourage black from occupying g4 with a minor piece. White will often try to play e5, possibly backed up by d4, or move the f3 knight and then play f4. c3 is also common to prevent a black knight lodging on d4 or b4 and to control d4.
I know that it's not much of a gambit (you can win it back with Qa4+ or Na3) and I like QP positions, I just was hoping not to have to study the theory behind slav/semi-slav games. The reason I play the reti is because I like english positions that often arrive after 1. Nf3 Nf6 2. c4 or 1. Nf3 c5 2. c4.
The reti gambit is a book move (It is considered the best move in the opening, it has the best win/loss record) coming from the reti opening, there might be more than one gambit though :)
What are your thoughts on the reti gambit? I've tried the nimzowitsch opening (1. Nf3 d5 2. b3), but I don't like it and I don't really want to study the theory behind (1. Nf3 d5 2. d4 usually transposing into a slav or semi-slav). Also, if anyone wants to give me tips or variations of the reti gambit or nimzowitsch opening, it would be much appreciated.