Réti maneuver

The Réti maneuver uses a simple property of king movement: one diagonal step reduces horizontal and vertical distance at the same time. A route that looks indirect can therefore arrive as quickly as a straight route while also approaching a second target.

In the algebraic notation used in the example, K identifies the king, so Kg7 means that the king moves to g7.

In the classic study, White's king appears too far away both to catch Black's h-pawn and to support the white c-pawn. Instead of choosing one task, the king advances diagonally. It threatens to approach its own pawn while entering the imaginary square from which it can catch the opposing pawn.

Black's king must spend moves stopping the white pawn. Those forced moves let White switch objectives and reach the black pawn. If Black pushes without addressing the other wing, both pawns reach the last rank and become new pieces; if the black king captures White's pawn, the white king arrives in time to stop Black's.

The maneuver is not a magical exception to a pawn race. It is a calculation method that counts dual-purpose routes and the opponent's forced moves. Similar geometry can appear with other pieces when a diagonal move serves defense and attack at once.