The Réti Opening: What It Is and How to Use It in Chess

June 30, 2026

Chess openings: What is the Réti Opening?

Looking for a new opening to learn? Discover the Réti Opening!

Learning openings requires understanding chess notation, the system for naming pieces and moves. Get a refresher on chess notation here!

The Réti opening is named after chess player Richard Réti, one of the leading figures of hypermodernism.
It’s a relatively rare hypermodern opening for White that often leads to strategic, positional games, making it a good choice for intermediate or advanced players who want to avoid 1. e4 or 1. d4 openings with a lot of theory.
One of the Réti’s greatest strengths is its flexibility. It can transpose into a variety of openings, including the English Opening, d4 openings, and even the Sicilian Defense.

Here is the move for the Réti Opening:

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If you’re looking for an uncommon White opening to throw your opponents off-guard, give the Réti Opening a spin!

If you’re looking for more openings, check out our guide featuring over 30 options for every skill level!