E01 · Indian · a plan for White

Catalan Opening: Open Defense

7/7
1.d4Nf62.c4e63.g3d54.Bg2
Live databaseLichess 1600–2000 · blitz + rapid
Catalan Opening: Open Defense766k games · Black to move
MoveWhite / draw / BlackPlayedGamesScore
27%207k44%
23%178k47%
12%94k44%
12%90k46%
4.3%33k45%
2.8%21k42%
1.8%14k45%
1.8%14k43%
1%7.8k44%
Famous games in this line11k master games
Ding Liren (2805)Carlsen, M. (2882)2019½–½Kramnik, Vladimir (2810)Carlsen, Magnus (2872)2013½–½Carlsen, M. (2864)Firouzja, Alireza (2793)2022½–½Ding, Liren (2791)Carlsen, Magnus (2863)20200–1Ding, Liren (2791)Carlsen, Magnus (2863)2020½–½Ding Liren (2799)Carlsen, M.. (2847)2021½–½Ding Liren (2799)Carlsen, M.. (2847)2021½–½Ding Liren (2799)Carlsen, M.. (2847)20211–0
Heroes of this opening Carlsen, Magnus · Ding Liren
Category
Indian
First move
1.d4
ECO
E01
Line
1. d4 Nf6 2. c4 e6 3. g3 d5 4. Bg2
FianchettoPositionalHypermodern
Read the guide: Catalan OpeningExplore all 32 Catalan Opening lines
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The 1929 Barcelona organizers literally commissioned an opening: Tartakower blended 1.d4 with a kingside fianchetto and named it for Catalonia. Seventy years later Kramnik and Carlsen made it a world-championship weapon — one long-range bishop, endless quiet pressure.

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