Réti Opening: Anglo-Slav Variation, London Defensive System
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Statistics from Lichess
23,966 games: White 49.1% / Draw 7.1% / Black 43.8%
| Next move | Games | White / Draw / BlackW / D / B |
|---|---|---|
| 14,04314K | ||
| 8,3038,303 | ||
| 1,1851,185 | ||
| 173173 | ||
| 9595 | ||
| 6666 | ||
| 4747 | ||
| 2020 |
Rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, from the Lichess opening explorer, updated Oct 31, 2026
Engine evaluation
−0.05 The position is about equal
Best play: 5. Bg2 e6 6. O-O Be7 7. Nc3 h6 8. d4 Nbd7 9. Bb2 Qb6
Stockfish 19, depth 30, after the line's last move. Scores are in pawns, from White's side.
Overview
Réti Opening: Anglo-Slav Variation, London Defensive System (ECO A12, Flank Openings) is a variation of the Réti Opening: Anglo-Slav Variation, reached after 1. c4 Nf6 2. g3 c6 3. Nf3 d5 4. b3 Bf5 (4 moves).
In 23,966 rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500, White won 49.1%, Black 43.8% and 7.1% were drawn. White's most played move here is 5. Bg2, in 59% of those games.
Written from the Lichess opening list and explorer. Know this line well? Write about it.
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How to play against the Réti Opening: Anglo-Slav Variation, London Defensive System
5. Bb2 scores best for White: 53.4%, with White winning 49.5% and Black 42.8% of 8,303 games. The most played answer, 5. Bg2, scores lowest: 52.6% in 14K games. Stockfish's first choice is 5. Bg2.
Main answers: those played in at least 5% of these games. Score: White's wins plus half the draws, in rated Lichess games between players rated 1600 to 2500. How to play against other popular openings
Cite this page
Caissa Codex. “Réti Opening: Anglo-Slav Variation, London Defensive System (A12)”. Lichess data as of 31 Oct 2026. https://chesscodex.org/openings/reti-opening-anglo-slav-variation-london-defensive-system