Catalan Opening

The idea

After 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.g3, White prepares Bg2. The bishop aims down the long diagonal at b7 and the queenside, and it makes Black's usual ...d5 setups harder to play. Black chooses between the Open Catalan, taking on c4 and trying to keep or return the pawn, and the Closed Catalan, keeping the center with ...Be7 and ...c6.

In the Open lines, White often gives up the c-pawn for a while and wins it back with Qa4+ or Qc2. The pressure on the long diagonal can last deep into the endgame, so Black's main task is to get the c8 bishop into play, often with ...b6 and ...Bb7, or ...Bd7 and ...Bc6.

Positional and patient. The Catalan is a favorite of top players because it gives White a small edge with very little risk. Its name comes from a tournament held in Barcelona, in Catalonia, in 1929.

1.d4 players who like long-term pressure and endgames. It needs some understanding of the plans, but less memory than the sharp lines of the Queen's Gambit.

After ...dxc4, do not let Black keep the pawn with ...b5 and ...Bb7 for free. Know your way of winning it back before you play g3.

The main line, move by move

1. 1.d4 · White claims the center with the d-pawn, which the queen guards, and opens the way for the bishop on c1. A calm first move that keeps many setups open.
2. 1...Nf6 · Black develops the knight to its best square, where it controls e4 and d5. It keeps Black's choices open: setups with ...d5, ...e6 or ...g6 can all follow.
3. 2.c4 · White brings a second pawn to the center to control d5. Played before Nc3, it means the knight will not block the c-pawn, and it opens a path for the queen to the queenside.
4. 2...e6 · Black supports a coming ...d5 and opens the bishop on f8. It is the solid choice, heading for a Queen's Gambit Declined structure.
5. 3.g3 · White prepares Bg2, the move that makes this the Catalan. From g2 the bishop will aim along the long diagonal from h1 to a8, at d5 and b7, for the whole game.
6. 3...d5 · Black takes a share of the center and blocks the bishop's diagonal with a pawn. The big choice comes next: take on c4 and open the game, or keep the pawn on d5 and stay closed.
7. 4.Bg2 · The Catalan bishop arrives on g2, looking at d5 and b7. White will play Nf3 and castle soon, then keep pressing on the queenside; Black can grab the c4 pawn with ...dxc4 or develop with ...Be7.

Next moves in book

• 3...c5 · Benoni Defense: Fianchetto Variation
• 3...d5 · Catalan Opening
• 3...e5 · Hungarian Gambit
• 3...Bb4+ · Bogo-Indian Defense: Retreat Variation
• 3...Be7

Related openings

• Nimzo-Indian Defense E20–E59 · 68 named lines
• King's Indian Defense E60–E99 · 109 named lines
• Grünfeld Defense A56–E60 · 51 named lines
• London System A48–D02 · 4 named lines