Réti Accepted

With 2...dxc4 Black gives up the d5 outpost and the pawn tension in exchange for open lines. It is one of the two replies that keep the game within the Réti instead of transposing to 1. d4 systems, and the play resembles the Queen's Gambit Accepted. The pawn cannot be held: the attempt 3...b5 runs into 4. a4, which leaves White clearly better. The engine rates the position as roughly balanced, but White scores well in practice, since Black tends to lag in development while White recovers the pawn.

White has several ways to win back c4, and this choice makes the defense less popular. 3. e3 is by far the most common and often transposes to the QGA. For example, 3. e3 e6 4. Bxc4 c5 5. d4 Nf6 reaches the Classical Defense. 3. e4 claims the center at once. 3. Qa4+ and 3. Na3 recover the pawn with pieces, while 3. d4 is a rare direct transposition to the Queen's Gambit Accepted. Sources still regard Black's game as sound.