E08

Catalan Opening: Closed

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

Le Quang Liem vs Liang,Awonder1/2-1/2
PNWCC Masters WOO 2020 • 2020★ Notable
Bacrot,E vs Kamsky,G0-1
WCh Candidates s/f • 2007★ Notable
Kramnik,V vs Topalov,V1-0
WCh • 2006★ Notable
Karpov,An vs Kramnik,V1/2-1/2
Amber Blindfold • 2001★ Notable
Portisch, Lajos vs Kamsky, Gata1/2-1/2
Biel Interzonal • 1993★ Notable
Beliavsky, Alexander G vs Wirthensohn, Heinz1/2-1/2
WchT • 1985★ Notable
Polugaevsky, Lev vs Keres, Paul1-0
Petropolis Interzonal • 1973★ Notable
Petrosian, Tigran V vs Spassky, Boris V1/2-1/2
World Championship 26th • 1966★ Notable
Petrosian, Tigran V vs Botvinnik, Mikhail1/2-1/2
World Championship 25th • 1963★ Notable
Giri,A vs Gukesh,D1/2-1/2
World Rapid 2025 • 2025
Anand,V vs Leko,P1/2-1/2
World Blitz • 2009
Ivanchuk,V vs Shirov,A1/2-1/2
TCh-RUS • 2008
Radjabov,T vs Topalov,V1/2-1/2
Corus A • 2007
Khalifman,A vs Kramnik,V1/2-1/2
ch-RUS Superfinal • 2005
Beliavsky, Alexander G vs Jussupow, Artur0-1
Ubeda • 1997
Polgar, Zsuzsa vs Portisch, Lajos1/2-1/2
Women-Veterans • 1995
Timman, Jan H vs Short, Nigel D1-0
Euwe mem • 1989
Kasparov, Gary vs Kamsky, Gata1-0
New York exh • 1989
Andersson, Ulf vs Short, Nigel D1/2-1/2
Biel Interzonal • 1985
Suba, Mihai vs Jussupow, Artur1/2-1/2
Tunis Interzonal • 1985

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