Chessy
Playing Black in the Réti Opening: Advance Variation, Michel Gambit
After 1.Nf3 d5 2.c4 d4 3.b4 c5, White has reached the Réti Opening: Advance Variation, Michel Gambit. You are Black, and the position is dead level — the engine rates it -0.05 (a hair in White's favour, but barely measurable). Over 5,768 games from this exact position, Black actually scores 50.1% to White's 47.1%, with 2.8% draws. That means you enter this line with excellent practical chances. The question is: how do you handle White's next move, and what should you be ready for? The drill below will let you test yourself against the most popular replies.
Play the Réti Opening: Advance Variation, Michel Gambit against the engine
Free, no signup — you play black, the engine adapts to your level.
Test yourself against the Michel Gambit right now. Play through the most common White replies and the engine's best line in the interactive drill below.
Create a free account →The Position You're Fighting For
By pushing 3...c5, Black challenges White's b4-pawn gambit immediately. White has offered the b-pawn to open lines and gain central influence. Your move says: 'I'll take the pawn if you let me, and I'll build a solid pawn centre in the process.' The resulting structure — a Black d4-pawn versus White's c4-pawn — gives Black a space advantage in the centre. White will try to undermine that pawn with moves like Bb2 (the engine's top choice) or by capturing with bxc5. You should be comfortable playing with a mobile centre and defending your d4 outpost, because that is the core fight in this variation.
The Engine's Best Answer: Bb2
Stockfish's top recommendation for White is Bb2, developing the bishop to the long diagonal where it bears down on your d4-pawn. The engine's full line continues 4.Bb2 a5 5.a3 Nd7. Your reply 4...a5 immediately questions White's pawn on b4 — if White doesn't support it with 5.a3, you may win the pawn outright. After 5...Nd7, you prepare ...Ngf6 and ...e5, solidifying your centre and developing naturally. This line scores 51.0% for White across 673 games, making it White's most dangerous try. But 51.0% is still within the margin of dead-even play — you are not worse, just a hair below 50-50 in practice.
What the Statistics Reveal
The database numbers tell a clear story about which moves are trickiest for you. Across 5,768 master-level games on Lichess: - bxc5 is by far the most common (3,195 games), but White scores only 44.9% — that means Black wins a majority of the time when White takes on c5. You should welcome this capture. - b5 (871 games, White 48.2%) and a3 (185 games, White 47.0%) are also slightly favourable for you. - e3 (475 games, White 50.5%) and Bb2 (673 games, White 51.0%) are the two continuations where White's score nudges above 50%. So if your opponent plays e3 or Bb2, you are in the toughest part of the theory.
Your Most Comfortable Reply: bxc5
If White plays 4.bxc5, you have a straightforward plan: recapture with 4...e6 or 4...Qa5+ followed by regaining the pawn. The statistics here are excellent for Black — White scores just 44.9% from this move, meaning you win more than half the time. Your d4-pawn remains a powerful central wedge, and White has traded a wing pawn for a central one. Develop naturally with ...Nf6, ...Be7, and ...0-0, and you will find yourself with a comfortable game. The engine's deeper preference for Bb2 shows that stronger White players avoid bxc5 for a reason — so if your opponent grabs on c5, be confident that you are already doing well.
Results across 5,768 Lichess games
| Most-played continuation | Games | White wins |
|---|---|---|
| bxc5 | 3,195 | 44.9% |
| b5 | 871 | 48.2% |
| Bb2 | 673 | 51.0% |
| e3 | 475 | 50.5% |
| a3 | 185 | 47.0% |
| Qa4+ | 147 | 49.7% |
Frequently asked questions
Is the Réti Opening: Advance Variation, Michel Gambit good for Black?
Yes. The position after 3...c5 is essentially equal — Stockfish rates it -0.05. In practice, Black scores 50.1% across 5,768 games, slightly outperforming White. The opening gives Black a solid central pawn on d4 and good development.
What is the best move for White in the Michel Gambit?
The engine recommends 4.Bb2, developing the bishop to the long diagonal. The full line continues 4...a5 5.a3 Nd7. However, many opponents play 4.bxc5, which is actually favourable for Black — White scores only 44.9% from that move.
How should Black respond to 4.bxc5?
Recapture the pawn comfortably with 4...e6 or 4...Qa5+. Your central d4-pawn remains a strength. Develop naturally with ...Nf6, ...Be7, and ...0-0. Statistics show Black wins a majority of games after White plays bxc5.
What does the -0.05 evaluation mean for Black?
The evaluation is essentially zero — the position is dead level. Neither side has an advantage out of the opening. As Black, you are neither better nor worse; you have full equality and can play for a win without taking risks.