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How to meet the Réti Opening as Black
The Réti Opening asks Black an important early question: do you keep the centre stable, challenge it immediately, or let White choose the shape of the game? In the position after 1.Nf3 d5 2.c4, it is your move as Black and the game is still completely playable. Stockfish rates this +0.13, a tiny edge for White. That means you are dead level here, so the goal is not to survive panic — it is to make a sensible developing move and avoid helping White for free. Use the drill below to practise the critical decisions.
Practice playing against the Réti Opening
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Create a free account →What this position is really about
This opening is not about memorising a long trap line. It is about handling a flexible start well. White has delayed central commitment, and you should respond with calm development and a clear plan for the centre.
The strongest engine choice here is d4, and the listed continuation shows that the game can stay active and structured. That is a useful lesson: when White plays a flank opening, Black often does best by claiming space and making White react rather than drifting passively.
What the database says
The exact position after 1.Nf3 d5 2.c4 has been reached 2,725,877 games in the Lichess database, so this is a very common practical position. White scores 53.9%, draws 3.7%, and Black scores 42.4%.
Those numbers tell you two things. First, White has done a bit better in practice. Second, Black still gets plenty of playable games, so this is not an opening you need to fear. If you meet it confidently and understand the main replies, you can hold your own and often reach a good middlegame.
The most common replies to know
The most-played continuations from here are dxc4 (1,065,407 games, White scores 55.9%), d4 (507,020 games, White scores 51.3%), c6 (336,286 games, White scores 50.8%), Nf6 (320,700 games, White scores 54.8%), e6 (278,034 games, White scores 52.0%), and Bg4 (58,077 games, White scores 54.2%).
You do not need to memorise every branch right now. What matters is recognising that White has several normal ways to continue, so Black should stay flexible. If you are comfortable with solid development and a timely central response, you will meet the opening on good terms.
The one mistake to avoid
There is one known mistake in this position: Bg4. It is an inaccuracy and loses about 0.8 pawns; the better move was d4.
That is a useful warning for club play. A developing move is not automatically good if it ignores the centre or helps White gain tempo. In this opening, be careful that your piece activity supports your central plan instead of drifting into a move that looks active but gives White the easier game.
Results across 2,725,877 Lichess games
| Most-played continuation | Games | White wins |
|---|---|---|
| dxc4 | 1,065,407 | 55.9% |
| d4 | 507,020 | 51.3% |
| c6 | 336,286 | 50.8% |
| Nf6 | 320,700 | 54.8% |
| e6 | 278,034 | 52.0% |
| Bg4 | 58,077 | 54.2% |
Frequently asked questions
Is the Réti Opening bad for Black?
No. In this exact position the evaluation is +0.13, which is a tiny edge for White. That means the game is essentially level, and Black can meet it with normal, sensible play.
What is the best move for Black here?
The engine’s best move is d4. The listed continuation is d4 b4 f6 a3, which shows that Black can choose an active central answer and keep the game balanced.
Which reply is most common against the Réti Opening?
The most-played continuation here is dxc4, with 1,065,407 games in the database. White scores 55.9% in that line, so you should be ready to meet it calmly and not assume White is out of book.
What should I be careful about as Black?
Avoid Bg4 in this position. It is marked as an inaccuracy and loses about 0.8 pawns, while d4 was better. A sensible central move is more reliable than a premature piece move.
How many games feature the Réti Opening?
Over 3 million Lichess games have reached the Réti Opening position. White wins 53.9%, Black wins 42.4%, with 3.7% draws — based on real rated games.