E05
Catalan Opening: Open Defense, Classical Line
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.
Top Players in this Opening
Related Openings
E00 - Indian Defense545E01 - Catalan Opening: Closed247E02 - Catalan Opening: Open Defense70E03 - Catalan Opening: Open Defense56E04 - Catalan Opening: Open Defense863E06 - Catalan Opening: Closed1109E07 - Catalan Opening: Closed105E08 - Catalan Opening: Closed133E09 - Catalan Opening: Closed, Main Line83
Best Games
Grischuk,A vs Karpov,Ana1/2-1/2
Tal Memorial Blitz 2008Notable
Topalov,V vs Anand,V1/2-1/2
Amber Blindfold 2008Notable
Topalov,V vs Leko,P1-0
Amber Blindfold 2008Notable
Aronian,L vs Ivanchuk,V1-0
Amber Blindfold 2007Notable
Aronian,L vs Kasimdzhanov,R1/2-1/2
37th Olympiad 2006Notable
Carlsen,M vs Lautier,J1/2-1/2
WCC Places 9-16 2005Notable
Ponomariov,R vs Motylev,A1/2-1/2
WCC 2005Notable
Gelfand,B vs Anand,V1/2-1/2
36th Olympiad 2004Notable
Beliavsky,A vs Grischuk,A1/2-1/2
FIDE WCh KO 2004Notable
Filippov,Va vs Grischuk,A1/2-1/2
FIDE WCh KO 2004Notable
Radjabov,T vs Nielsen,PH1/2-1/2
FIDE WCh KO 2004Notable
Grischuk,A vs Solomon,K1/2-1/2
FIDE WCh KO 2004Notable
Gelfand,B vs Anand,V1/2-1/2
Amber Rapid 2004Notable
Ivanchuk,V vs Gelfand,B1-0
Amber Blindfold 2004Notable
Gelfand,B vs Svidler,P1/2-1/2
FIDE WCh KO 2001Notable
Gelfand,B vs Svidler,P1/2-1/2
FIDE WCh KO 2001Notable
Gelfand,B vs Svidler,P1/2-1/2
FIDE WCh KO 2001Notable
Harikrishna,P vs Beliavsky,A1/2-1/2
FIDE WCh KO 2001Notable
Azmaiparashvili,Z vs Gelfand,B1/2-1/2
FIDE WCh KO 2001Notable
Gelfand,B vs Anand,V1/2-1/2
Amber Rapidplay 2001Notable