ECO A09 · Réti Opening

Réti Opening: Advance Variation, Michel Gambit

1. Nf3 d5 2. c4 d4 3. b4 c5

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White to move. The arrow shows Stockfish’s best move.
Best move

4. b5+0.11

The position is roughly equal. Stockfish 18, depth 18.

Analyze this position

In the Réti Opening: Advance Variation, Michel Gambit (A09), reached after 1. Nf3 d5 2. c4 d4 3. b4 c5, Stockfish 18 recommends 4. b5 for White. The position is roughly equal (+0.11).

Top engine moves

  1. +0.114. b5 a6 5. a4 Nd7 6. d3 e5 7. Nbd2 Ngf6 8. g3 Bd6
  2. −0.124. Bb2 f6 5. e3 e5 6. bxc5 Nc6 7. exd4 exd4 8. Bd3 Qe7+
  3. −0.134. Qa4+ Bd7 5. b5 Qc7 6. g3 e5 7. d3 Bd6 8. Bg2 Nf6

Frequently asked questions

What is the best move in the Réti Opening: Advance Variation, Michel Gambit?
After 1. Nf3 d5 2. c4 d4 3. b4 c5, Stockfish 18 at depth 18 recommends 4. b5 for White, continuing a6 5. a4 Nd7 6. d3 e5 7. Nbd2 Ngf6 8. g3 Bd6. The position is roughly equal (+0.11). The next best moves are 4. Bb2 (−0.12) and 4. Qa4+ (−0.13).
Is the Réti Opening: Advance Variation, Michel Gambit a good opening?
Stockfish rates the position at +0.11: the position is roughly equal. Evaluations this early in the game are small, so practical results depend far more on knowing the plans and typical structures than on the engine's number.
What is the ECO code of the Réti Opening: Advance Variation, Michel Gambit?
A09. ECO codes classify chess openings from A00 to E99; A is the volume for flank openings.

Opening names from the Lichess opening book (CC0). Pieces by Colin M.L. Burnett (GPLv2+).