Reti Opening for Black - The Bluebaum's Setup by GM Boris Avrukh
When GM Matthias Bluebaum repeatedly deployed 2...Bg4 against the Reti Opening in high-level encounters, he wasn't just making a sound positional choice—he was establishing a practical framework that turns White's flexible system into a concrete debate. GM Boris Avrukh's latest course takes this modern interpretation and builds it into a complete repertoire, showing how an early bishop deployment can dictate the character of the game before White's typical English or King's Indian Attack formations ever materialize.
A Setup That Demands Early Decisions
The course revolves around the position after 1.Nf3 d5 2.g3 Bg4, where Black immediately stakes a claim in the center while developing actively.
What makes this approach particularly effective is its forcing nature—White must decide how to handle the bishop on g4 before completing development, and each decision leads to a distinct middlegame structure. Avrukh examines all major white responses, from the immediate 3.Ne5 to the more flexible 3.Bg2, showing how Black maintains excellent chances across the entire spectrum of possibilities.
Structure and Coverage
The course is organized into seven extensive chapters that systematically cover White's options:
- 7 extensive chapters covering all White deviations and main lines
- 20 test positions to reinforce critical moments
- Memory Booster for efficient retention
- To Go Version of every chapter for quick study
- Video instruction explaining key concepts
- Multilingual PGN availability (English, German, French, Spanish)
Chapter 1 handles early deviations from 3.Bg2, particularly the natural 3.Ne5 where Black's precise 3...Bf5 maintains the balance. Chapters 2 and 3 examine White's attempts with c4 at various moments, including the critical line 4.c4 c6 5.cxd5 Bxf3 6.Bxf3 cxd5, where the resulting position offers Black comfortable equality. Chapter 4 explores 5.d4, while Chapters 5 and 6 dissect the flexible 5.d3 and White's deviations before committing to this move. The culmination arrives in Chapter 7 with the main line 6.d3 dxc4 7.dxc4 Qxd1 8.Rxd1 Nbd7, where the resulting endgame provides Black with a reliable path to equality at the highest level.
Avrukh's previous work includes comprehensive coverage of 1.c4 e5 responses in his Top-Level Repertoire against the English Opening - Part 1 and Part 2, establishing his expertise in handling white's flank openings from Black's perspective.
Perfect Pairing: Theory Meets Understanding
For comprehensive Reti preparation, combine Avrukh's theoretical precision with GM Ioannis Papaioannou's "Reversed Torre Against Reti Opening - Deep Understanding":
- Avrukh's course provides top-level theoretical preparation and concrete variations
- Papaioannou's course focuses on typical structures, positional ideas, tactical patterns, and critical endgames
Together, these courses give you both the theoretical foundation and the structural understanding needed for complete mastery of Black's resources against the Reti.
👉 Explore Papaioannou's Reversed Torre Course
A Practical Solution to the Reti
For players seeking a principled yet manageable response to 1.Nf3, this course offers exactly what's needed: a system built on clear strategic principles, backed by concrete analysis, and tested in contemporary practice. The Bluebaum setup doesn't promise an advantage, but it does something equally valuable—it forces White to navigate specific challenges rather than playing their preferred positions.