Question about Reti Opening in a recent blitz game

Hi,

I've competed in the Blitz Arena <1300 today, and one game kind of puzzled me : lichess.org/zpddTKhU/white

On move 7, I played Ne5 which is not very clever, but I don't understand the engine suggestions 7.a3 or 7.Qc2.

Can I get any help to understand these?

Thanks :)

I am puzzled: where is Réti?

7.) A3... Slows the development of Black's Queen side Knight and the Dark-squared Bishop...basically you would be bolstering your Queen side defense.// 7.) Qc2... Doubles up potential control of E4 square which is a common motif in any opening. ( This is the English opening )

More likely a3 is to support b4 (which is why Black responds with ...a5).

@TripHopKniGHts

In that case, why not play Bd3 instead of Qc2? Bd3 also reinforces control over the e4 square, while also preparing to castle. Is Qc2 a thematic move in this opening? Then why is it given higher preference over Bd3, which accomplishes another motif as well?

Thanks for the answers :)

I mean Reti because it's 1.Nf3, but it indeeds transposes to the English from what I understand :)

@Da_One: You make an excellent point. I think the Queen developing to the second rank in the opening is also quite common and that square is perfect in this game. Looking through the possible variations it looks solid for White. The bishop may be better suited on G2. ( Of course, I am just speculating.... thinking out loud. )

7. Ne5 is bad because if black takes, which he did do, then your beautiful center pawn wedge stabbing into the heart of black's center will be destroyed, which it was ... also your knight is just fine on f3, for the moment a perfect 'on-deck' square ... get the rest of your army onto the field before launching your attack ...