Chessy
French Defense: Réti-Spielmann Attack as White
After 1.e4 e6 2.g3, White heads for a flexible fianchetto setup instead of the usual direct pawn tension. The position is still very balanced, so this is not about grabbing an opening advantage right away. It is about understanding the plans, meeting Black’s most common replies, and choosing good moves in a quiet but tricky structure. Use the drill below to practise the position where it matters most: at the first critical decision for Black.
Play the French Defense: Réti-Spielmann Attack against the engine
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Create a free account →What this opening is asking White to do
The move 2.g3 tells you a lot about White’s approach. Instead of forcing immediate simplification, White keeps the centre fluid and prepares to develop the bishop harmoniously. That usually means you should stay calm, complete development, and be ready to react to Black’s central pawn play. The opening is not supposed to win by force; it is supposed to give you a playable middlegame with clear piece placement and no early weaknesses.
The engine’s main answer
Stockfish rates this +0.07, a tiny edge for White. That means you are essentially equal here. The engine’s best move here is d5, and the listed continuation is d5 e5 Ne7 d4. In practical terms, Black is trying to claim the centre immediately, so you should be ready to meet that central challenge without drifting into passive play.
What the database says about the position
The practical results confirm how close this line is. Across 561,743 games at this exact position, White wins 48.0%, draws 4.2%, and Black wins 47.9%. That is almost perfectly balanced, which is exactly what you should expect from a line like this. The opening can suit you if you want a stable structure where understanding plans matters more than memorising long forcing variations.
The most common replies to know
Black has several popular choices here, and none of them gives White a big automatic target. The most-played continuation is d5, with 301,686 games, and White scores 46.0% there. Other common replies are c5, with 42,929 games and White scoring 49.2%; b6, with 42,377 games and White scoring 50.0%; c6, with 37,222 games and White scoring 49.3%; d6, with 30,140 games and White scoring 50.7%; and Nf6, with 19,275 games and White scoring 50.8%. So your job is not to chase a gimmick, but to play sensible chess against each central or kingside setup.
Results across 561,743 Lichess games
| Most-played continuation | Games | White wins |
|---|---|---|
| d5 | 301,686 | 46.0% |
| c5 | 42,929 | 49.2% |
| b6 | 42,377 | 50.0% |
| c6 | 37,222 | 49.3% |
| d6 | 30,140 | 50.7% |
| Nf6 | 19,275 | 50.8% |
Frequently asked questions
Is the French Defense: Réti-Spielmann Attack good for White?
It is a fully playable choice for White, but it is not an opening that gives an early edge. The engine calls the position dead level, so your goal is to get a comfortable middlegame and play accurately.
What is the best move for Black in this position?
The engine’s best move is d5. The listed continuation is d5 e5 Ne7 d4, so Black wants to strike in the centre right away.
What do the results say about this line?
The database is extremely close: White wins 48.0%, draws 4.2%, and Black wins 47.9% across 561,743 games at this exact position. That tells you this is a practical, balanced opening rather than a sharp theoretical gamble.
What should White focus on after 1.e4 e6 2.g3?
Focus on calm development and good central awareness. Black’s most common replies include d5, c5, b6, c6, d6, and Nf6, so you should be ready for several different kinds of central structures.
How many games feature the French Defense: Réti-Spielmann Attack?
Over 561K Lichess games have reached the French Defense: Réti-Spielmann Attack position. White wins 48.0%, Black wins 47.9%, with 4.2% draws — based on real rated games.