I personally play the Reti myself but as black, I prefer a Sicilian Game and play c5 for the immediate imbalance and let white decide on a Symmetrical English.
Odd times, I’ll play Nf6 and a variation game of the Indian Game.
Or else, play a simple and solid d5, c6 (CK System) set-up for the draw.
All games are comfortable for black but I prefer a Sicilian position for tactical opportunities.
That's interesting I play Sicilian against 1.e4. I'll try that out and have some fun with it. Any ideas to go with that by chance?
The Reti can be completely avoided. The Reti depends on Black playing ...d5 (1.Nf3 d5 2.c4).
You can also play:
Dutch - 1.Nf3 f5
Symmetrical English - 1.Nf3 c5 2.c4 (but keep in mind that 2.e4 is a Sicilian)
1...Nf6 - This is non-committal, and you can still avoid the Reti by not playing d5.
Not looking to avoid the Reti, I'm looking for something with really good attacking chances against it
Fischer used to play 1 Nf3 Nf6, usually transposing to the King's Indian Defense he played.
That is a defense with good attacking chances for black.
This sort of thing can be kind of fun, and your opponent likely won't be prepared for it.
Fischer also played neo Grünfeld against it:
https://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1044663
And of course this game of the century:
That's interesting I play Sicilian against 1.e4. I'll try that out and have some fun with it. Any ideas to go with that by chance?
Play what you understand or where you enjoy the middle game positions.
For me, it’s the Sicilian because my understanding is stronger vs Indian Games but mainly, the imbalance will give you those counter attacking chances.
Plus 1e4 is most common so you’ll gain more practice and experience quickly.
As an aspiring player, you want to develop, mitigate blunders, learn how to build up a counter attacking position, utilize tactics and convert winning positions because most games are decided on blunders and tactics.
I prefer e6 or a6 Sicilians with a queenside fianchetto bishop staring at whites short castled/fianchetto bishop and king; this neutralizes his middle game strategy and forces him to play for an uncomfortable alternative if white wants to play for a win!
Examples are a Kan-Wing Attack and Katalimov aka b5 vs b6.
The above system works well against a KIA, GPA, Bowdler Attack and Closed Sicilian; saving you more time and minimizing theory. Blacks plan is expanding on the queenside and over taking the center at a faster pace than white.
Thanks. I like your plan. It's straight to the point
Thanks. I like your plan. It's straight to the point
The a6, b5 system/wing attack will look something like this. Notice how the evaluation = 0 this early in the game?
https://www.chess.com/game/live/74019657637
As a Sicilian player, this set-up scores winning chances against the Open Sicilian, Closed Sicilian, Bowdler Attack, KIA and Grand Prix Attack.
Against the Alapin or Delayed and Bowdler Attack; e6 facilitates an immediate d5 pawn push equalizing the game on the spot.
The beauty of the Reti is black gets to set-up what he prefers, so why not play the Invitation Sicilian?
The biggest problem is that if you really want to do a kingside attack against 1.Nf3, you can't force an opening that usually has that kind of play unless you play e6 Be7 and h5, which is unsound for obvious reasons.
Of course you can always play the dutch (1...f5) but then you'll have to deal with dumb but dangerous gambits like 2.d3 (3.e4) or 2.e4.
A Katalimov/b6 set-up looks like this; it has its place but I prefer a6, b5 given the opportunity because you are grabbing more space and controlling more queenside squares early in the game.
https://www.chess.com/game/live/72297108333
Thanks Chuck. We just started a daily game and he played 1. Nf3 so I'll give the a6 b5 system a try
My buddy likes to play 1. Nf3 2. g3 and 3. Is usually d4 before he fianchettos the bishop. Are there any good solid openings to combat this? I usually meet Nf3 with d5 so I can open with a center pawn. Mainly looking for something where I have good attacking chances and good plans and ideas for Black to win. Something trappy yet solid would work if anyone can help.