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.

Best Games

Grischuk,A vs Karpov,Ana1/2-1/2
Tal Memorial Blitz • 2008★ Notable
Topalov,V vs Anand,V1/2-1/2
Amber Blindfold • 2008★ Notable
Topalov,V vs Leko,P1-0
Amber Blindfold • 2008★ Notable
Aronian,L vs Ivanchuk,V1-0
Amber Blindfold • 2007★ Notable
Aronian,L vs Kasimdzhanov,R1/2-1/2
37th Olympiad • 2006★ Notable
Carlsen,M vs Lautier,J1/2-1/2
WCC Places 9-16 • 2005★ Notable
Ponomariov,R vs Motylev,A1/2-1/2
WCC • 2005★ Notable
Gelfand,B vs Anand,V1/2-1/2
36th Olympiad • 2004★ Notable
Beliavsky,A vs Grischuk,A1/2-1/2
FIDE WCh KO • 2004★ Notable
Filippov,Va vs Grischuk,A1/2-1/2
FIDE WCh KO • 2004★ Notable
Radjabov,T vs Nielsen,PH1/2-1/2
FIDE WCh KO • 2004★ Notable
Grischuk,A vs Solomon,K1/2-1/2
FIDE WCh KO • 2004★ Notable
Gelfand,B vs Anand,V1/2-1/2
Amber Rapid • 2004★ Notable
Ivanchuk,V vs Gelfand,B1-0
Amber Blindfold • 2004★ Notable
Gelfand,B vs Svidler,P1/2-1/2
FIDE WCh KO • 2001★ Notable
Gelfand,B vs Svidler,P1/2-1/2
FIDE WCh KO • 2001★ Notable
Gelfand,B vs Svidler,P1/2-1/2
FIDE WCh KO • 2001★ Notable
Harikrishna,P vs Beliavsky,A1/2-1/2
FIDE WCh KO • 2001★ Notable
Azmaiparashvili,Z vs Gelfand,B1/2-1/2
FIDE WCh KO • 2001★ Notable
Gelfand,B vs Anand,V1/2-1/2
Amber Rapidplay • 2001★ Notable

Explore More

All OpeningsAll Players