From Mark Weeks,
Your Guide to Chess.
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Are you surprised to find that one of our top 10 popular openings is a single move? In fact we have two first moves for White in our top 10. The slightly more popular of the two is 1.Nf3 as shown in the diagram. We have three reasons for choosing a single move.

First, although 1.Nf3 is played less frequently than 1.e4 or 1.d4, it is far more popular than the next group of initial moves for White. It can't be overlooked or ignored.

Second, while there are several good responses to it, the most popular response is 1... Nf6. Now if White continues 2.d4 or 2.c4, the game will often transpose into an Indian Opening or a Closed Game. In other words, the most popular response leads back into popular openings that we have already chosen.

Finally, none of the alternatives to 1...Nf6 are as popular as our other top 10 openings. Taken together they have many adherents.

• 1...d5
• 1...c5
• 1...g6

For more about the diagrammed position, see Reti System in our Repertoire Recommendations.