JonathanB wrote on 11/05/08 at 21:39:44:


Makes sense. I'm not comfortable with a Benoni, as they aren't positions I have a good grasp of. 

Quote:


Good to know.

Quote:


Between the Catalan and Gurevich system white has enough chances, but yeah, I do not want to deal with 2...d4.

I just can't keep up with the Slav/Semi-Slav theory. It has long since ceased to be about chess, and more about memorization. That's why I'm dropping 2.d4.

Quote:


Yes, but I do not have the book.

I'm guessing it involves Botvinnik System though.

With one exception I've played nothing but 1. Nf3 with White for the past three years or so.

My feeling is 2. ... d5-d4 must be the critical test of 2. c4.  White can always transpose back to regular queen's pawn openings after 2. ... c6, ... e6 and ... dxc4 so advancing to d4 himself is the only direct way to try to punish White for not playing 2. d4 himself.

I've often heard/read people saying a benoni a tempo up must be good for White but I'm doubtful.  I don't find any of the lines theoretically convincing for White (whether or not Black plays ... c5 too).

Equally I doubt whether White has any chance of theoretical advantage after 2. ... dxc4 unless s/he heads for the QGA.

That said, I happily play 3. Na3 and am also happy to allow black to shove his pawn forward if he wants because I like the positions that result.

Before I took up the reti a friend of mine - also active on these boards - told me he thought 2. d4 was simply a better move than 2. c4.  I'm sure he's right but still I like to avoid a direct transposition to Queen's pawn openings most of the time.

If an objective advantage is important to you I'm not sure you should be playing the Reti.

I've no idea about the English line you ask about but isn't that the one advocated by Chess Pub's lord and master TK in his book on the english?

I'm looking for opinions on this.

1. c4 e5 2. g3

Is black doing well after 2. g3? ...e5 has always been the reason I haven't played 1.c4, but I figure English players would know. Does it stand as equal, or does white seem to be doing better? Are there any lines of extreme importance to look at?

1. Nf3 d5 2. c4 d4 or dxc4

Is black doing well here? Any Reti players have an opinion?

Right now I'm looking into trying to avoid landing in main-line Slav and Semi-Slav theory because it is just way too much to keep up with, so I intend to use the Gurevich system. I had been playing 1. Nf3 d5 2. d4 for a long time, but my patience has run out with what I'm trying to avoid.

The reason I've avoided 1.c4 in favor of 1. Nf3 are for the lines mentioned above, any thoughts?