Play the Reti – Part 2 GM Ivan Cheparinov + PGN November 23, 2023

We are happy to announce that GM Cheparinov has just released the second and final part of his Reti Opening project. In this part, Cheparinov provides a full repertoire for White based on 1.Nf3 d5 2.c4. Additionally, in the first chapter of the database, the author examines the Anti-Gruenfeld approach: 1.Nf3 Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 d5. All other systems that Black might choose are dealt with in the course Play the Reti – Part 1

The current database consists of 8 huge theoretical chapters, 16 interactive test positions, a Memory Booster, and a Video Version (6h and 30 min Running Time).

Now, we shall take a look at the different chapters.

Chapter 1 is about an Anti-Gruenfeld line with delayed d2-d4. The initial position arises after 1…Nf6 2.c4 g6 3.Nc3 d5 4.cxd5 Nxd5 and the trendy continuation 5.h4.

White usually continues with 6.e4, when special attention should be paid to all the cases when White should better recapture on c3 with the b-pawn and when to prefer the d-one.

The remaining Chapters are about the direct 1…d5 and again, 2.c4.

The first of them is dealing with 2…dxc4. After 3.e3 Nf6 4.Bxc4 e6 the game can already transpose to Queen’s Gambit Accepted. Indeed, this happens in a couple of moves, and, from that point on, Chapter 2 is in fact a review of the latest QGA tendencies, namely with 7.b3.

The positions after 2…d4 3.b4 are the subject of the rest of the chapters.

As always, the relatively rare options are the first ones to be covered, so is in Chapter 3 with 3…Nf6 being selected as Black’s main move.

Chapter 4 features the highly adventurous try 3…g5!?, to which 4.Qa4 is recommended. In general, White’s move order is very subtle; take note of 7.Nbd2! before going for the usual fianchetto of Bf1.

The symmetrical 3…g6 4.g3 Bg7 5.Bg2 can be seen in Chapter 5. It is important that the common queen check is White’s best reaction to the strike 5…a5.

In Chapter 6, in reply to the bishop sally 3…Bg4, White does not mind doubling his pawns and plays 4.g3. It is instructive to see how Magnus Carlsen has found himself in insurmountable trouble straight in the opening.

Chapter 7 (3…c5 4.Bb2) is unique in itself, for it is hard to imagine an opening file with all the 32 pieces on the board at its end after 20 moves! Indeed, on the way to it, the readers will find many deviations with immense complications.

3…f6 in Chapter 8 has the common idea of building a solid central chain. The main line goes on with 4.e3 e5 5.c5 (hoping to make use of the a2-g8 diagonal) and the principled 5…a5! 6.Qa4! Bd7 7.b5 Bxc5 8.Bc4. Even though Black has on the next couple of moves many options to choose from, it is far from easy for him to equalize.