Play the Reti Part 1 by GM Ivan Cheparinov

The suggested repertoire is based on 1.Nf3, followed by 2.c4 in reply to all the popular Black’s first replies with an exception for 1…d5, which is beyond the scope of this database. Another central advance (d2-d4) is usually coming next and there is a myriad of transpositions to various openings – from the Sicilian to the English Opening.

The initial position of the starting 5 Chapters is 1.Nf3 c5 2.c4.

Chapter 1 deals with 2…b6 3.d4 cxd4 4.Nxd4 Bb7 5.Nc3 Nf6 6.f3, building the Maroczy bind. It is interesting to see how an aggressive plan with castling to the long can be implemented in White’s scheme;

The first transposition to the Tarrasch is in Chapter 2 after 2…e6 3.Nc3 d5 4.cxd5 exd5 5.d4, when Black has problems to solve after both 5…Nc6 6.dxc5 and 5…Nf6 6.Bg5 Be6 7.a3!?

In Chapter 3 the focus is on 2…Nc6 3.Nc3 (the author’s preference to the direct 3.d4) 3…g6 4.e3 Nf6 5.d4 cxd4 6.exd4 d5, which usually arises via the Panov Attack.

After the principled 7.cxd5 Nxd5 8.Qb3 and now 8…Nxc3 9.Bc4! or 8…e6 9.Bb5 Black has yet to demonstrate a convincing equalizer;

Chapter 4 goes on with Grischuk’s pet move order 2…Nc6 3.Nc3 e5

Now, 4.e3 Nf6 5.d4 is White’s usual reaction, leaving the opponent on the worse half of the draw in case of 5…e4 6.d5!

Chapter 5 is about 2…Nc6 3.Nc3 e6 , when after 4.d4 cxd4 5.Nxd4 the relatively rare alternatives of 5…Nf6 are examined, with 5…Bb4, which reaches a line in the Nimzo, being the main of them;

From the other side, via the similar move order 1…Nf6 2.c4 c5 3.Nc3 Nc6 4.d4 cxd4 5.Nxd4, in Chapter 6 the minor alternatives of 5…e6 are mentioned with an emphasis on 5…Qb6. Analogously to the 2nd Chapter, after 6.Nb3 e6, White is putting his hopes for an opening advantage on the little prophylactic move 7.a3!

The unification of Nf6/e6/Nc6 becomes real in Chapter 7, when after 5…e6 the author draws our attention to the trendy 6.e4!? instead of the well-trodden paths after 6.g3 and 6.a3.

The readers will be attracted by both the mind-boggling complications after 6…Bc5!? and the strategical nuances behind the most popular answer 6…Bb4.

3…d5 4.cxd5 Nxd5 is the subject of Chapter 8

At this point, White is relying on the flexible 5.e3!? to hinder the opponent’s intentions to get his beloved opening in the view of the possible sallies Bf1-b5 and Qd1-a4 instead of the delayed d2-d4. Besides, Black should tread with care after the seemingly innocuous queen’s trade 5…Nxc3 6.dxc3!?

The next two Chapters are concentrating on 3…e6 4.g3.

Our new meeting with the Tarrasch is in Chapter 9 after 4…d5 5.cxd5 exd5 6.d4 Nc6 7.Bg2 and 7…cxd4 8.Nxd4 Bc5!?, which has lately gained a lot in popularity;

In Chapter 10 various move orders after 4…b6 5.Bg2 Bb7 6.0-0 Be7 7.d4 cxd4 8.Qxd4 are analyzed in detail. Notably, the leading line is arriving at an endgame on two results;

Chapter 11 is dedicated to 1…Nf6 2.c4 b6, when 3…c5 is played only in reply to 3.g3. Black’s idea is to meet 4.Bg2 Bb7 5.Nc3 with 5…g6!? and after 6.d4 cxd4 7.Qxd4 Bg7 8.0-0 bringing Nb8 to the d7-square by 8…d6 seems to be his most reliable option;

The next 3 Chapters are investigating the lines after 1…Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.g3 d5 4.Bg2, which is on the verge of moving to the Catalan:

The least popular Black’s options are noted in Chapter 12 before delving into 4…dxc4 5.Qa4 Nbd7 6.Qxc4 a6 7.Qc2 c5 8.Nc3 Qc7! The second player needs to play accurately in order to fully equalize;

The character of the position is radically changing in Chapter 13 to a Reversed Benoni after 4…d4. The main line 5.0-0 c5 6.e3 Nc6 7.exd4 cxd4 8.d3 Bd6 has a solid reputation, but the recommended 9.Na3!? seems to open new horizons in front of White;

In Chapter 14, Black does not mind entering the top lines of the Catalan by choosing 4…Be7 5.0-0 0-0, but the author is insisting on pushing d2-d4 at the most appropriate moment, so his main continuation is 6.b3 c5 7.cxd5 Nxd5 8.Bb2 Nc6 9.d4 cxd4 10.Nxd4 Bd7. Now 11.Na3!? is once again the way to pose problems;