Réti Opening: Anglo-Slav Variation
The Anglo-Slav Variation arises after 1.c4 Nf6 2.g3 c6 3.Nf3 d5 4.b3, where White prepares a double fianchetto against Black's Slav pawns. White wants bishops on g2 and b2 to hit the center from afar, while Black develops the c8 bishop outside the pawn chain.
- Moves
- 1.c4 Nf6 2.g3 c6 3.Nf3 d5 4.b3
- ECO
- A12, A14
- Engine
- −0.13 · level (Stockfish 17.1, depth 20)
- Played
- 431 games in our lichess sample
- White scores
- 51.0%
Key ideas for both sides
White
- Put bishops on g2 and b2 and castle short, aiming them at the e5 and d5 squares.
- Answer ...Bf5 with Nh4 as in the engine line, chasing the bishop and gaining the bishop pair.
- Consider Ba3 to trade off Black's good dark-squared bishop, as the third engine line shows.
- Keep d3 or d4 in reserve; the choice decides whether the play stays quiet or opens up.
Black
- Develop the light bishop with ...Bf5 or ...Bg4 before playing ...e6, so it is not stuck inside the chain.
- Build the compact triangle with ...e6, ...Be7 and castling behind the c6 and d5 pawns.
- Take ...dxc4 only when White's development makes recapturing awkward, since it gives up the center.
Plans and pawn structure
This is a slow maneuvering game. White's double fianchetto pressures d5 and e5 from a distance, and a later d4 or Ne5 adds direct pressure. Black's Slav pawns on c6 and d5 are solid, so Black can develop with ...Bf5, ...e6, ...Be7 and ...Nbd7 without trouble. Fights over the e5 square and the bishop pair, after Nh4 or Ne5, decide who has the more pleasant middlegame.
What the engine plays from here
Stockfish 17.1 at depth 20 rates the position −0.13: level. Its three top choices for Black:
- −0.13 4...Bf5 5.Bg2 e6 6.d3 Be7 7.O-O
- −0.13 4...Bg4 5.Bg2 e6 6.O-O Be7 7.Ne5
- −0.11 4...h6 5.Bg2 Bg4 6.Ba3 Nbd7 7.d4
Pawns, from White's side.
How it scores on lichess
431 rated lichess games reached this position; White scored 51.0%.
Light: White wins. Grey: draws. Dark: Black wins. About the sample.
Where it goes next
- Anglo-Slav Variation, London Defensive System4...Bf5 · rare
- Anglo-Slav Variation, Torre System4...Bg4 · rare
- Anglo-Slav Variation, with dxc44...dxc4 · rare
How to play against it
As Black, get the c8 bishop out with ...Bf5 or ...Bg4 before ...e6, and castle early. Watch for Nh4 hitting a bishop on f5 and Ne5 hitting one on g4. Avoid grabbing on c4 too early, since White's bishops then gain open diagonals.
Other lines with this name
The lichess opening list also files this line under the same name, though it reaches a different position: 1.Nf3 d5 2.c4 c6 3.g3 Nf6 4.Bg2 e6 5.b3 Be7 6.Bb2.
Questions
What are the moves of the Réti Opening: Anglo-Slav Variation?
The Réti Opening: Anglo-Slav Variation starts 1.c4 Nf6 2.g3 c6 3.Nf3 d5 4.b3. Its ECO code is A12, A14.
Is the Réti Opening: Anglo-Slav Variation good for White?
Stockfish 17.1 rates the position −0.13 at depth 20, which is level. In 431 lichess games from our sample, White scored 51.0%. A calm, positional choice for players who like maneuvering; neither side gets an early target, so patience matters most.
What is the main idea of the Réti Opening: Anglo-Slav Variation?
White sets up two fianchettoed bishops and pressures the center from a distance. Black answers with solid Slav pawns and quick development of the light bishop to f5 or g4.
What should Black play next?
The engine's first choice is Bf5, with Bg4 and h6 close behind. 4...Bf5 develops the light bishop before ...e6 locks it in, keeping Black's structure free of holes.
Related lines
Updated October 2026. Sources and method.