The Anglo-Slav Variation, London Defensive System is a variation of the Réti Opening, catalogued as ECO A12. The line runs 1. c4 Nf6 2. g3 c6 3. Nf3 d5 4. b3 Bf5 5. Bg2, reaching the position shown below after 9 half-moves.
Black holds the centre with pawns on d5, and one pawn capture is available, so the structure has not settled yet. Development is level at two minor pieces each. It is Black to move after five moves.
On the Réti Opening generally: ECO A09. A chess opening with 32 known variations.
You can play through this variation move by move in your browser — Learn mode walks the line with an explanation at each step, and Drill mode replays it from memory so you find out whether you actually know it. No account is required.
See all 17 Réti Opening variations →
The Anglo-Slav Variation, London Defensive System goes 1. c4 Nf6 2. g3 c6 3. Nf3 d5 4. b3 Bf5 5. Bg2. It is a variation of the Réti Opening and is catalogued as ECO A12.
The Anglo-Slav Variation, London Defensive System is ECO A12. ECO codes group openings by their move order, so nearby codes cover closely related lines of the Réti Opening.
Stockfish evaluates the position after 1. c4 Nf6 2. g3 c6 3. Nf3 d5 4. b3 Bf5 5. Bg2 at -0.21 at depth 18, which is balanced. Engine evaluation is only a starting point — at club level the practical value of a line is mostly about whether you know its plans better than your opponent does.
Black holds the centre with pawns on d5, and one pawn capture is available, so the structure has not settled yet. Development is level at two minor pieces each. It is Black to move.