1.Nf3 d5 2.g3 - Expert Repertoire for White - Part 1
We are happy to announce that the huge Reti expert GM Michael Roiz will provide an expert repertoire for White after 1.Nf3 d5 2.g3.
The first database will deals with the Slav Setups, 2...Nc6 and King's Indian Attack. All the remaining Black's options will be covered in the second part.
The database consists of 12 theoretical chapters, 15 interactive test positions, a Memory Booster, and a Video Version (3h 40 min Running Time).
Below, we will briefly present the different chapters.
Chapter 1 is dedicated to the position arising after 1.Nf3 d5 2.g3 Nf6 3.Bg2 c6 4.0-0 Bg4
This is nearly the most common way of development in Reti. The current position might be reached via different move orders. Even though Roiz deals with different deviations, the main position of the chapter arises after 5.d4 e6 6.h3 Bh5 7.c4
In his analysis, Roiz proves that White can put Black under pressure in this line. Depending on the circumstances, White is ready to proceed either with Nc3 and Qb3 or Nc3 followed by Ne5 and g3-g4. Very often, White's slight advantage is based on the bishop pair.
The subject of Chapter 2 is the position arising after 1.Nf3 d5 2.g3 c6 3.Bg2 Bg4 4.d4 Nd7 5.0-0 e6 6.c4
In this chapter, Roiz deals with Black's attempts to delay ...Ngf6. He analyzes four different continuations - 6...Be7, 6...f5, 6...dxc4, and 6...Bd6. In all the cases, White keeps good practical chances of an advantage.
Chapter 3 features the following move order: 1.Nf3 d5 2.g3 Bg4 3.Bg2 Nd7
This is by far the most common choice. Black shows his intention to build a pawn centre by means of ...e7-e5. White's most precise continuation is 4.c4. He is ready to answer 4...dxc4 with 5.Na3, comroftably regaining the pawn. The main line goes 4...e6 5.d4
At this point, the traditional 5...c6 would transpose to one of the previous chapters. Therefore, Roiz covers the alternatives 5...Bb4+ and 5...Nf6. In both cases, White can hope for a slight advantage.
The starting position of the next two chapters is being reached after 1.Nf3 d5 2.g3 Nf6 3.Bg2 c6 4.0-0 Bf5 5.d3
The setups with ...Bf5 are also very popular. Contrary to the lines with ...Bg4, in these positions, Roiz prefers putting the pawn on d3.
Chapter 4 deals with 5...e6 6.Nh4 Bg4 which is the most challenging move. Black is aiming to either save his light-squared bishop or provoke some weakening moves from White's side. The main line goes 7.h3 Bh5 8.Qe1
A flexible move. White unpins the central pawn and overprotects his h4-knight in view of further ..f2-f4. In the arising complex positions, White can definitely put his opponent under pressure.
In Chapter 5, the author analyzes 5...h6
This is Black's second choice and it was played more than 2000 times. As in often happens in London system (reversed), Black secures h7 for a retreat and emilimates Nf3-h4 ideas.
At this point Roiz suggests 6.c4 and provides the following explanation, "I find this response most energetic: since Black wasted a tempo for h7-h6, it makes sense for White to immediately initiate some play in centre.". One of the points behind White's 6th move is that the complications arising after 6...dxc4 7.Ne5 are favourable for White.
The main position of the variation arises after 6...e6 7.Qb3 Qb6 8.Qc2
The move 8.Qc2 is quite tricky. White deviates from exchanging queens to focus on e2-e4 break. At the same time, the black queen is vulnerable as it can be easily attacked by White's minor pieces. White can obviously fight for an advantage in this line.
The main position of Chapter 6 is being reached after 1.Nf3 d5 2.g3 c6 3.Bg2 Bf5 4.0-0 e6 5.d3
In this chapter, Roiz deals with all Black's attempts to play without ...Nf6. In all these lines, the understanding of the positional subtleties is far more important than the knowledge of concrete theory. According to the analysis, White can hope for an advantage in all the lines.
From Chapter 7, Roiz starts examining the setups based on QGD. The starting position of the survey arises after 1.Nf3 d5 2.g3 Nf6 3.Bg2 e6 4.0-0 Be7 5.d3 0-0 6.Bf4
The move 6.Bf4 is relatively less explored but very flexible and dangerous continuation. Due to his superior development, White is often ready to play e2-e4 even without the preparatory Nbd2. Black's main move is by far 6...c5. All the sidelines are dealt with in Chapter 7.
In response to 6...c5, the suggestion of Roiz is 7.a4.
A deep idea. White prevents the possible ...b7-b5 and secures a3 for his queen's knight. Also, it is a sort of preparation for further pawn sacrifice. Analysis shows that Black faces practical problems in all these lines. This line is examined in Chapter 8.
The remaining part of the database is dedicated to the line 1.Nf3 d5 2.g3 Nc6
This ambitious continuation is among Black's most common weapons in Reti nowadays. Of course, Black shows his intention to build the pawn centre with e7-e5. White's only challenging continuation is 3.d4.
After 3.d4, Black has two main continuations - 3...Bg4 and 3...Bf5. All the sidelines are examined in Chapter 9.
Chapter 10 features 3...Bg4
This move is even slightly more popular than 3...Bf5. In some cases Black may damage White's pawn structure with ...Bxf3 or exchange the bishops. After 4.Bg2, Black usually plays 4...Qd7 (although all the deviations are covered as well).
Black shows his intention to play ...Bh3 and also makes 0-0-0 possible. Practice, however, shows that this approach is very risky for Black. In Chapter 10, Roiz shows how White can put this line under suspicion.
The last two chapters cover 3...Bf5 which is objectively stronger. The first important juncture arises as early as move 4 when White plays 4.Bg2.
In Chapter 11, the author examines 4...e6 which is a quite choice. Black goes for a quick development and leaves ...Nc6-b4 as an option in the long run. Practice, as well as concrete analysis, show that after consolidating the position, White can fight for a slight edge.
Black's most ambitious choice is by far 4...Nb4
This ambitious approach became very popular in the recent years. By attacking the c2-pawn Black is provoking the awkward Nb1-a3, and it will interrupt White's traditional plan with c2-c4. On the downside, Black's development is heavily delayed.
According to Roiz, White's best bet on an advantage is 5.Na3 e6 6.Nh4
This knight move is only White's 3rd choice by popularity. Nevertheless, Roiz shows that this line is indeed very challenging. You can find the analysis of this position in Chapter 12.
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