E03

Catalan Opening: Open Defense

Key moves: 1.d4 Nf6 2.c4 e6 3.g3

The Catalan Opening combines the Queen's Gambit with a kingside fianchetto. White builds a strong positional bind, especially along the long diagonal. The resulting positions are strategically rich and favour patient, technical play.

History & Notable Players

Named after the Catalonia region of Spain where it was first played in 1929. It became Vladimir Kramnik's main weapon and is now one of the most popular openings at the top level.

Best Games

Caruana,F vs Anand,V1-0
43rd Olympiad 2018 • 2018★ Notable
Giri,A vs Anand,V1/2-1/2
80th Tata Steel GpA • 2018★ Notable
Ivanchuk,V vs Leko,P1/2-1/2
Amber Blindfold • 2002★ Notable
Oll, Lembit vs Morozevich, Alexander1/2-1/2
FIDE-Wch k.o. • 1997★ Notable
Karpov, Anatoly vs Ljubojevic, Ljubomir1/2-1/2
Tilburg • 1983★ Notable
Erigaisi,Arjun vs Aronian,L1/2-1/2
Goldmoney Asian Rapid KO • 2021
Caruana,F vs Dominguez Perez,L1/2-1/2
Clutch Chess Showdown Int • 2020
Nakamura,Hi vs Grischuk,A1/2-1/2
Lindores Abbey Prelim • 2020
Ding Liren vs Carlsen,M1/2-1/2
7th Sinquefield Cup TB • 2019
Fedoseev,Vl3 vs Duda,J0-1
81st Tata Steel GpA • 2019
So,W vs Duda,J1-0
chess.com Speed 3m+1spm 2018 • 2018
Smyslov, Vassily vs Polgar, Sofia1-0
Women-Veterans • 1996
Smyslov, Vassily vs Tal, Mihail1/2-1/2
Candidats Tournament • 1985
Miles, Anthony J vs Karpov, Anatoly1/2-1/2
Linares • 1983
Huebner, Robert vs Smyslov, Vassily0-1
Tilburg • 1982
Quinteros, Miguel A vs Portisch, Lajos0-1
Linares • 1981
Polugaevsky, Lev vs Spassky, Boris V1/2-1/2
URS-ch41 • 1973
Smyslov, Vassily vs Karpov, Anatoly1/2-1/2
Moscow • 1971
Smyslov, Vassily vs Keres, Paul1/2-1/2
Moscow • 1967
Capablanca, Jose Raul vs Reshevsky, Samuel Herman1-0
Nottingham • 1936

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