Réti Opening, Advance Variation

The Advance Variation arises when White develops the knight to f3, Black occupies d5, White attacks that pawn with c4, and Black advances it to d4. The name refers to Black's pawn advance, not a white pawn.

The pawn on d4 gains space and restricts some white squares, but it also moves farther from its neighboring pawns. White does not need to attack it immediately with several pieces. A common plan is g3 and Bg2, followed by a pawn break, meaning an advance intended to challenge Black's structure.

Ways to challenge d4

• e3 attacks the central base and can open the f1-bishop's diagonal after exchanges.
• b4 applies queenside pressure and may prepare b5 or an exchange on c5 if Black supports d4 with ...c5.
• d3 prevents the pawn from advancing farther and lets White complete development before opening the position.

Black's choice contrasts with the Réti Accepted, where the d-pawn captures on c4, and the Anglo-Slav, where ...c6 supports d5. In the Advance Variation, the central question is whether the space from ...d4 outweighs the pawn's potential to become a target.