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How to play the Réti Opening: Anglo-Slav Variation, Gurevich System
After 1.c4 c6 2.Nf3 d5 3.e3, you reach a flexible Réti structure where both sides are still deciding the character of the game. The position is already slightly better for White, but only by a little, so this is not a line for careless play. Your job in the drill is to handle Black’s most common replies cleanly, keep your position sound, and make the most of the small edge the engine gives you.
Play the Réti Opening: Anglo-Slav Variation, Gurevich System against the engine
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Create a free account →A small edge, not a free ride
Stockfish rates this +0.38, a small edge for White. That means you are slightly better here.
The database also shows a very balanced position overall: in 197,530 games at this exact position, White wins 50.8%, draws 4.1%, and Black wins 45.2%. Those numbers tell you this is a playable opening choice, but not one where you can expect instant advantage without good moves. Stay calm, develop naturally, and be ready to respond to Black’s setup rather than forcing something early.
What Black usually does
The most common reply is Nf6, with 67,844 games, and White scores 48.6% there. The engine’s best move is also Nf6, so this is the line you should expect most often in the drill.
Other popular continuations include Bg4, Bf5, e6, dxc4, and Nd7. These replies show that Black often aims for a solid, normal development scheme rather than immediate tactics. Against that, you should focus on piece activity, a stable centre, and simple development instead of chasing complications too early.
What the engine wants you to know
The engine’s best move here is Nf6, continuing Nf6 Nc3 Bf5 cxd5. That tells you Black’s setup can stay very natural and flexible if you do not meet it accurately.
For White, the practical lesson is to treat this as a position where understanding matters more than memorising tricks. Develop your pieces, keep your king safe, and watch for Black’s most common central and piece-development ideas. If you play accurately, you can keep the small edge and steer the game into a middlegame you understand.
The replies you should recognise
A few continuations appear often enough that they are worth knowing by feel. Bg4 is very common, with 53,628 games, and White scores 52.3% there. Bf5 appears in 23,920 games, with White scoring 49.2%. e6 appears in 22,774 games, with White scoring 50.5%. dxc4 appears in 12,230 games, with White scoring 56.2%. Nd7 appears in 3,783 games, with White scoring 49.5%.
Do not treat those numbers as a promise of anything. They simply show that Black has several reasonable ways to continue, so you should be ready for a flexible struggle rather than one fixed script.
Results across 197,530 Lichess games
| Most-played continuation | Games | White wins |
|---|---|---|
| Nf6 | 67,844 | 48.6% |
| Bg4 | 53,628 | 52.3% |
| Bf5 | 23,920 | 49.2% |
| e6 | 22,774 | 50.5% |
| dxc4 | 12,230 | 56.2% |
| Nd7 | 3,783 | 49.5% |
Frequently asked questions
Is the Réti Opening: Anglo-Slav Variation, Gurevich System good for White?
Yes, the position is slightly better for White here. Stockfish gives +0.38, so you start with a small edge, not a large one. That means good development and accurate play matter.
What is the main move for Black in this position?
The most-played and engine-best move is Nf6. It appears in 67,844 games, and it is also the move the engine prefers. You should expect Black to meet you with a solid developing move.
What should White aim for after 1.c4 c6 2.Nf3 d5 3.e3?
Aim for smooth development, king safety, and a stable centre. This opening does not promise a quick tactical win, so your edge comes from good piece placement and understanding the typical replies. Keep the position simple and flexible.
Which Black replies should I be ready for?
The most common replies are Nf6, Bg4, Bf5, e6, dxc4, and Nd7. They all lead to a normal middlegame struggle, so it helps to know them as patterns rather than memorising long lines. The drill is designed to help with exactly that.
How many games feature the Réti Opening: Anglo-Slav Variation, Gurevich System?
Over 197K Lichess games have reached the Réti Opening: Anglo-Slav Variation, Gurevich System position. White wins 50.8%, Black wins 45.2%, with 4.1% draws — based on real rated games.