Rviving the Reti opening

Discovered this as a teen and found it useful.  Interesting idea to control the center from the flanks, plus most players are not familiar with it.

To bake a Reti you need Nf3, c4 and a king side fianchetto. And avoid the use of d4, that totally spoils it!

1. Nf3 can evolve into anything. It doesn't make sense to assign a classification after just one move.

The reti approach 1.Nf3 d5 2c4 and usually later b3 and g3, gives useful extra options against queens gambit and slav, by delaying d4.  Slav is particularly hard to break down. Don't think gains much against kingsIndian, although suppose an early b3 is possible.

Zukertort used 1.Nf3 to transpose to Classical lines.  1.Nf3 as a hyper-modern opening is Reti's idea, but in Reti's time it was not considered proper to name an opening after a living person so it was often called the Zukertort Opening.

GM Delchev has issued a fresh book dealing with the Reti in general, with special focus on the Nf3/c4/e3/b3 stuff as an effective anti-slav weapon.

In general 1.Nf3 is a great move, but it is used mainly by strong players, as the transpositional possibilities are virtually innumerable.

Yes, was thinking of Delchev's book in my post. When had quick look at it, chouldn't see a recommendation against the KingsIndian. Probably because there isn't one, other than tranposing to some main-line KingsIndian with Nf3?

Yep, I thing his indirect solution would be transposing to your favorite KID.

You only miss the Saemisch and the Averbakh under that particular move order, but ATM none of the two is terribly popular. Also the 4 pawns, but this stuff is used by few top players (mainly Jobava).

I have played in the past several anti-KID systems, but IMHO none of them is terribly challenging for Black.

@TwoMove

It's terribly complex and advanced but Khalifman's Opening for White According to Kramnik - also issued by publishers Chess Stars - might be an answer for those who want to play 1. Nf3 and get a handle on transpositional possibilities to d-pawn openings. Kramnik played 1. Nf3 quite a lot in his youth; these days he plays a straight 1. d4 of course.

I mentioned elsewhere today that 1. Nf3 is handy for those English Opening players - which Kramnik was - who want to avoid the Reversed Sicilians starting 1. c4 e5 and are not adverse to playing a Queen's Gambit line after 1. Nf3 d5 2. d4 if 2. c4 d4 isn't their cup of tea.

Seems like I started a good discussion on an old "modern" opening.   I was impressed by the novelty of controlling the center from the sides.   But to use it well, it takes practice.   

When anyone pulled that on me, they usually got e6.

After 1.Nf3 d5 2c4 d4 white can play an early b4, either immediately or after g3. Play is like a modern benoni reversed.  After 2...e6 white can play a catalan with g3, were delays d4 to restrict black options, or never play d4. Alternatively can play b3 after g3,Bg2. Think these are reasonable options for playing for win, other than transposing to 1.d4 positions. Will be interesting to see if Delchev has different ideas to Marin, particularly after 2...e6.

@TwoMove

Dennis Monokroussos wrote a helpful review here:

http://www.thechessmind.net/blog/2012/3/16/a-review-of-delchevs-the-modern-reti-an-anti-slav-repertoire.html

Thanks will check it out.

Any new ideas on the Reti?   While playing black (bullet games  are  what I play),  I like pushing a couple side pawns, angling the bishop and getting the rook out of thecorner--- all on right side of the board.   Sets up an offense and a castling on the left side while gaining a strong defensive position. 

Having great success with Reti when playing black in bullet games.   Forces opponent to rethink his/her routine opening moves,allows me to set good defense and launch an attack.   

I find it  effective but only use it for bullet  games.  My w/l record for this kind of play is noticeably better.