The hypermodern school: the center from afar

Nimzowitsch and Réti

Instead of occupying the center with pawns, you control it from afar with a fianchettoed bishop and knights, then strike at the opponent's center later.

Key ideas

1. Fianchetto the bishop on g7 or b7 so it aims at the center.
2. Let the opponent build a center, then attack it with pawn breaks.
3. Breaks like ...e5 or ...c5 smash the center at the right moment.

When to use it

In the King's Indian Defense, the Réti Opening and similar systems.

Strategy Academy