Réti Opening: Anglo-Slav Variation, Bogoljubow Variation

Réti Opening: Anglo-Slav Variation, Bogoljubow Variation is a chess opening with the ECO code A12, part of the Réti Opening family. It goes 1. Nf3 d5 2. c4 c6 3. b3. White opens with 1. Nf3 (the Zukertort/Réti knight move) and Black answers 1... d5. After 5 moves it is Black to move. The lesson on the board explains every move of the line and lets you play it yourself; it is free.

The moves

• 1. Nf3 – White plays the knight to f3
• 1... d5 – Black plays the pawn to d5
• 2. c4 – White plays the pawn to c4
• 2... c6 – Black plays the pawn to c6
• 3. b3 – White plays the pawn to b3

In chessGM's opening book this position continues with 3... Nf6.

About the Réti Opening

White plays 1.Nf3 and c4, attacking the centre from the side instead of occupying it. It is a modern, flexible approach.

• White fianchettoes with g3 and Bg2, sometimes on both sides with b3 and Bb2.
• The c4 pawn pressures d5; White may take with cxd5 to open the c-file.
• If Black pushes ...d4, White attacks it with e3 or b4.

chessGM has a full course for this line: open the Réti Opening: Anglo-Slav Variation, Bogoljubow Variation course lesson.

Related openings

• It extends: Réti Opening (1. Nf3 d5 2. c4)
• Continues with: Réti Opening: Anglo-Slav Variation, Bogoljubow Variation – adds 3... Bg4
• Continues with: Réti Opening: Anglo-Slav Variation, Bogoljubow Variation – adds 3... Bf5
• Related line: Réti Opening: Anglo-Slav Variation, Bled Variation (1. Nf3 d5 2. b3 Nf6 3. Bb2 g6 4. c4 c6)
• Related line: Réti Opening: Anglo-Slav Variation, Bogoljubow Variation (1. Nf3 d5 2. c4 c6 3. b3 Bg4)
• Related line: Réti Opening: Anglo-Slav Variation (1. c4 Nf6 2. g3 c6 3. Nf3 d5 4. b3)
• Related line: Réti Opening: Anglo-Slav Variation, Bogoljubow Variation (1. Nf3 d5 2. c4 c6 3. b3 Bf5)
• Related line: Réti Opening: Anglo-Slav Variation, with g3 (1. Nf3 Nf6 2. g3 d5 3. Bg2 c6 4. O-O Bf5 5. d3 h6 6. c4 e6)
• Related line: Réti Opening: Anglo-Slav Variation, Bogoljubow Variation (1. Nf3 d5 2. c4 c6 3. b3 Bf5 4. Bb2)

Browse every named opening · Opening courses